
A BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF 



FROM PHOTOGRAPH BY ROCKAFELI.OW. 
[Copyright, 18S5. Ge 




I HID ■■.T-mfK ■ !'■" •••i\mifyi>i' TrrFf,,,!,,,,!!,!!!.! „ . . 



ASTON, PENN'A, IN 1885 

VIEWED FROM PHILLII'SEURG, X. J. 
vV. West, Eastox, Pa.] 




Rkv. UZAL W. CONDIT, a. M., Ph. D. 



•1 1 i • 



« m»K 



a%^ M^ 



-»-• 



THB HISTORY 



<®> 



OK: 



EASTON, PENN'A 



FROM 



The Earliest Times-The Present, 



-^m 1733 — 1885 1^1^^ 

BY 

Rev. UZAL AY. CONDIT, A. M. 

Ex-President of the State Board of Education 
OF New Hampshire. 



Tod noii/aat ^i(i7-ia TroXla ovx tariv ■Kepaa/in^. 



PUBLISHED, ILLUSTRATED AND PRINTED BY 

GEORGE W. WEST. 



W: 









Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 18S5, by 

WEST & CONDIT, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



— -TO 

TRAILL GREEN, M. D., LL. D. 

dean of the pardee scientific department 
of lafayette college, — the eminent 
physician and friend of education 
and of sound learning, adorned by 
that higher learning which will 
shine brightly in a higher sphere : 
a lineal descendant of one of the 
prominent actors in the early his- 
tory of easton, especially during 
the stormy scenes of the revolu- 
tion — to this eminent christian 
scholar and p 3t this work is 
most respecl ly and affection- 
ately dedicated by 

The Author. 



PUBLISHERS NOTE. 

THE topograpliy of Easton being so grand, natnre 
having done so mnch, we believe the time is now 
when this beauty should be in book form. Go to 
what point you may, your eyes behold a beautiful, a dazzling 
picture. There is not a town of its size that can compare 
with it in beauty of situation, and its beauty is known far 
and wide. 

The "Forks of the Delaware" was known a centnrv 
and a half ago, and who among us does not like the sound? 
To illustrate it as it is to-day, and what it was many years 
ago, is the aim of the publisher. For that purpose he has 
had a goodly number of photographic views taken, and 
secured the loan of several rare and valuable paintings. 
One of the best wood engravers in Philadelphia has been 
engaged to do the engraving, and beaut>- and accuracv will 
appear in each number of the book. 

This is the first attempt at Illustrated F;aston. This is 
our initial number, and our second will be no less inter- 
esting than the first ; indeed, as the work advances it 
increases in interest, and unfolds some of the grandest 
characters in the histor)- of Penns\lvania. 

THE PUBLISHER. 



AUTHOR'S Preface 





jHE AUTHOR'S object in preparing the followino; work was to preserve 
a record of the history of our Borough, and gather together many fafts that 
g^^^ were rapidly passing into the region of forgetfnhiess. There are a few old 
people whose lives connect the present with the past, whose recollections 
have been of benefit to the author, and as far as pracfticable, have been pre- 
served. The author had not the slightest conception of the magnitude of 
the task, nor of the real importance of Easton's early histor\- when he began 
to write. Many times surprise has been mingled with pleasure as the scat- 
tered elements of her historic life have been unfolded among the dust>- volumes so 
seldom read ; and if the citizens of Easton enjoy the reading as the author has enjoyed the 
writing, he will feel that his work will not have been in vain. 

It ma>- be proper to acknowledge the works which have been consulted in the prooress 
of this work ; and it would be ingratitude not to gratefully acknowledge the counsel and 
constant kindness of Elisha Allis, Esq. , in the progress of the work : his excellent 
library, without which the work could not have attained to even its present excellence 
has been at the author's disposal as if it were his own. The Colonial Records and Archives 
of Pennsylvania, Davis' History of Bucks County, and Rupp's History of Northampton 
County, History of the Lehigh Valley, History of the Moravians, Congressional Records 
(a part of which were found in the Astor Library), Anderson's Lives of the Signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, Original Records of the Committee of Safet}-, various His- 
tories of the United States, Sparks' Life of Washington, old Files of Papers in the Easton 
Library, Files of Easton "Express," "Argus" and "Free Press," Harbaugh's Life of Rev. 
Schlatter, Dr. Egle's History of Pennsylvania and Historical Register of Pennsylvania 
Life of Major Van Campen, Coffin's Men of Lafayette, Owen's Historical Sketches of 
Lafayette, Copp's Prominent Citizens of Plaston, and China and the United vState.s. 
These and other works will be referred to. 

The plan of the book is to introduce each subject in the chronological order of its 
occurrence, and follow it to its conclusion, so that eacli topic will be complete in itself; 
the author hopes in this manner to avoid confusion. 




VIEW OF BUSHKILI, STREET BRIDGE, IN 1840, 

SHOWING REAR OK MT. JEFFERSON. 

FROM A DRAWING BY MRS. M ' CARTNEY. 



Introductory Chapter. 




EASTON IN HER WILDNESS OF NATURE. 

Mount Jefferson — Jlouut Lafayette — Mount Olympus — Lehigh Hills — Rivers — Combination of Mountains, 
Valleys and Rivers — Where Parsons Meant the Town to be Built — First House in Easton, by Whom Built, 
and Where — Michael Schlatter; Birth Place; Errand to America; Visit to Europe; Raises Monev for 
Churches and Schools in Pennsylvania ; His Presentation of a Bible ; His Death and Burial in Philadelphia. 

^ ^.^ ' _ 

HEN the people of Easton contemplated erecting their first Conrt House, 
in 1753, a large number of petitioners in other parts of the county sent a 
r^ remonstrance to the Provincial Assembly against building the Court House 
in Easton. One of the reasons assigned for their opposition was that the 
hills were so high and steep as to endanger one's life to approach the vil- 
lage. But the ground of their objection is the source of Easton' s topo- 
graphical beauty. No stranger of taste ever visits Easton without being 
channed with the hills and valleys and shining rivers, ever changing in 
^ grandeur as the observer changes position — like the varying glories of the 
kaleidoscope. The want of system in these mountains greatly adds to their beautv. 
When wandering around the College buildings on Mount Lafayette, the eyes catch the 
distant ranges of mountains, which greet the vision in whatever direction we turn. Yon- 
der, to the west, stretch the Kittatinny or Endless Mountains, just far enough removed 
to be covered with the bewitching haze of Summer, enveloped in the gentle tints of 
ethereal blue in the clear atmosphere of Winter ; while standing in front of the Presi- 
dent's mansion, just below us, where the Lehigh empties its waters into the Delaware, 
start the Lehigh Hills, stretching with a gentle curve toward the west, at whose base the 
river winds its way, and when reflecting the sunlight, or the rays of the full moon, looks 
like a silver ribbon skirting the landscape. And near the same spot starts a range of 
hills on the right bank of the Delaware, at whose base the limpid waters of this historic 
river wend their way toward the sea, and both river and hills, gentlv curving to the 
north, are lost behind other hills on the left bank. 

If we ascend Mount Olympus, the highest point in the Chestnut Range, just north of 
the College campus, we catch a glimpse of the river approaching from the north, ntnning 
through gaps in the mountains, quite as beautiful in their wildness as the far-famed Water 
Ciap, thirty miles away. From this Oh-mpian lieight expands a scene of beauty rarelv wit- 
nessed. A few years ago a gentleman passing through Easton had his attention arrested 
by the combination of mountain and river, and remarked: "He was familiar with the 



8 THE HISTORY OF 

valley of the Rhine, but he had never witnessed an)'thing more beautiful than this." 
Men will go to Europe, climb the Alps to get a glimpse of scenery not more beautiful than 
that which greets the eye of the beholder from the summit of this American Olympus. 

But the mountains encircling the old site of Easton are they against which the remon- 
strants, in 1753, hurled their anathemas. The level surface around the Square was the 
extent to which William Parsons limited the future town. On the northwest stands 
Mount Jefferson, which received its name from the fa(?t of a great celebration that took 
place upon its summit in 1800, in honor of the election of Thomas Jefferson to the Presi- 
dency. An ox was roasted on its top, and the excavation is still visible. On the north 
is Mount Lafayette, so named in honor of the son of France, the friend of Washington 
and America. On the southwest is a height ascended from Fourth street, up Lehigh 
street, by a series of steps, to Fifth street, from which we continue to ascend itntil we 
reach a position south of the Court House. This is of equal altitude with the other two 
mountains, and has been called "Court House Hill." 

Before 1739, when David Martin built his ferry house at the foot of Ferry street, the 
whole scene was covered with a growth of bushes. These beautiful rivers rolled along 
with their gurgling music under the forests overhanging their banks. There was little to 
disturb the profound quiet, which reigned supreme, except the sighing of the winds, the 
rustling storm, the singing of birds, the loud-crashing thunder, or the war dance, or the 
loud war-whoop of the savages. On Mount Lafayette, on the heights where South Easton 
stands, or on the banks of the Lehigh, could be seen the smoke curling through the tree- 
tops from the fires of Indian camps ; or one might have caught a glimpse of a fleet of 
canoes descending the Delaware and Lehigh, filled with the dusky children of the forests. 
This was the garden of the Lenni Lenape, chosen for its beauty, * the convenience of its 
rivers, which afforded easy communication with the interior of the country, and as they 
came down either river they found a landing-place for their canoes on a long point extend- 
ing far out toward the right bank of the Lehigh. This point has long since been washed 
away, though the name still remains — "The Point." 

Not only was this locality chosen for its beauty and convenience, but for the abund- 
ance of game which roamed through these valleys and along these mountain sides. The 
historian of the Moravians tells us that the Indians would catch two thousand shad in a 
single day at Bethlehem, and at the junction of the rivers their efforts would be equally 
successful. This scene in its wildness was the capitol of the noble Delaware Tribe. There 
were no stately Gothic temples, nor lofty Corinthian columns, where these dusky lords of 
the forest would legislate for the nation's welfare ; but there were umbrageous frescoings 
arched on lofty columns, reared by the hands of the Great Spirit, beneath whose shade the 
Indian mother could lull her babe to sleep as she sung the rude war songs of her people, 
while the fierce warrior formed his plans of battle and sharpened his weapons for the deadly 

■■■Egle's History of Pennsylvani.i. 



E AS TON, PEXN'A. 9 

onset. But these scenes have long ago passed away. No matter how kindh- tlie red man 
was treated, nor how well the white man paid him for his land, the moment the white man 
began to bny the soil, the doom of the red man was sealed. We pick up here and there 
an arrow-head, open a mound filled with the bones of their dead, only to remind us that 
the powerful people which once owned these fertile lands, lofty mountains and majestic 
rivers have passed away, and the places which knew them know them no more forever. 

These beautiful forests were their temples, reared by hands divine. Under their 
shadows they found a peaceful home, a place for their council-fires, their quiet repose_, and 
amusements of savage life. Upon the banks of these beautiful rivers the young learned 
the art of war, the warrior painted for battle, and the aged quietly passed the evening of 
life and peacefully passed to the eternal hunting-grounds of their fathers. These people 
were as happv in these sylvan homes as the denizens of Fifth avenue, and quite as proud. 
Their wants were simple and easily met ; their ambition was limited and easily gratified. 
They were firm friends, but implacable foes ; they rarely forgot a kindness or forgave a 
wrong. This was the place assigned for the City of Easton. On this narrow peninsula, 
hemmed in by these mountains, by the Rushkill, Delaware and Lehigh, is the place which 
William Parsons assigned for the citv of the future. 



MICHAEL SCHLATTER. 

A NOTICE of the above-named gentleman is introduced thus early in the history 
because of his connection with a benevolent movement in Europe, which greatly aided 
in establishing the first church and school-house in Easton, in 1755, three years after the 
county of Northampton was established and five years after the town was surv'eyed. 

Rev. Mr. Schlatter was bom in St. Gall, in a lonely valley on the banks of the Stein- 
acli, in Switzerland, July 14, 1716. In his fourteenth year he was confinned and admitted 
to full communion in the Refonned Church. He was naturally of a roving spirit, which is 
not always a virtue, but came to be the element of his great usefulness in the New World. 
He had relatives in Holland who induced him to spend much time in that country, and 
while there he heard of the destitute condition of the Germans in Pennsylvania. He felt 
somewhat as Paul did, on the banks of the ^Egean Sea, after hearing the Macedonian cry. 
He longed to visit his brethren in Pennsylvania. He was licensed to preach in Holland, 
and by the Synods of North and South Holland was commissioned to preach the Gospel in 
the land of William Penn. He was sent as an organizer, and received his instructions 
from the Synods of Holland, i. He was to visit the different .settlements throughout 
which the Reformed sheep were scattered, to gather and organize them into churches 
where tliis was not done ; and where this was not ])ropcrIy done to induce them to select 



lo THE HISTORY OF 

the proper officers, have thein installed, and thus perfect their organizations. 2. To ascer- 
tain the amount that each congregation could give annually for the support of a minister 
sent among them. 3. To visit the ministers already in the field and enlist their s\'mpa- 
thies for the formation of a Synod. 4. He was to pay annual visits to the ministers and 
consistories, and learn the wants of the churches. 

When he arrived in this country, in 1746, he found 30,000 members of the Reformed 
Church scattered in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia. In visiting these 
peopje during the next four years, before returning on his mission to Europe, he travelled 
nearl)' ten thousand miles on horseback, and was at the same time pastor of a church in 
Philadelphia. He was looked upon as one of the most energetic workers in the church in 
the early historv of our countr\-. In thus passing through these scattered congregations, 
he had become well acquainted with the religious and educational wants of his people ; 
and he could see no hope of relief but in a mission to Europe. He had passed through a 
serious trouble in his church b\' the efforts of a young minister to crowd him otit of his 
pulpit. This difficult\- had been settled in favor of Mr. Schlatter by a committee of 
Quakers, and his church resoK'ed he should go to Europe and present the claims of the 
needv churches amid the forests of the New World. He wrote a powerful appeal to the 
churches of Holland, which aroused the sympathies of the people, and money was liberally 
given. It was translated into the German and sent into Germany with the same effect. 

On pages 262 and 263 of "Harbaugh's Life of Schlatter, " we learn that this appeal of 
Schlatter was translated into English by Rev. Mr. Thompson, preaching for an English 
congregation in Amsterdam, and a member of that Classis, and was widely circulated in 
England and Scotland, backed by a personal visit and appeal on the part of Mr. Thompson, 
urging its claims upon the benevolent in England. Such was the impression made on the 
British nation that the King, the royal family and the nobles were induced to lead off by 
contributions toward a school fund for the benefit of the Germans in America. Having 
laid this matter open in England, Mr. Thompson also carried the application for aid into 
Scotland, where himself was known, and represented the case before the General A.ssembly 
(Presbyterian), then sitting in Edinburgh. The result was the taking up a collection of 
twelve thousand pounds sterling ; and Rev. Mr. Muhlenberg tells us that in 1754 the sum 
had reached twenty thou.sand pounds sterling in Scotland alone. These were quite likely 
the happiest days in Mr. Schlatter's life, when he saw he had been instrumental in arousing 
the benevolent feelings of the people of Holland, Germany, Switzerland, England and 
.Scotland, and found a steady stream of contributions flowing to America for years after he 
had returned and until the churches were able to stand alone. This was the fund from 
the proceeds of which the log church and school house was in part built in Easton in 
1755, in which a school was maintained — the first free school in Easton. 

Mr. Schlatter names forty-six congregations which he visited before he went to 
Europe, and among them was that at the " Forks of the Delaware" (Page 203, " Life of 



EASTOX, PENJV'A. ii 

Sclilatter,'") ; and having visited it and ascertained its needs, it is not likely he would 
neglect it aftenvards. From this we may conclude that help was given at the "Forks," as 
well as at other points. The records of distribution were imperfectly kept, and not well 
preser\-ed, so that the points receiving aid must to some extent be a matter of conjecture. 

Among the friends of Mr. Schlatter, none seemed to rejoice more heartily, in view of 
his success, than Muhlenberg, who spoke in the highest terms of praise of his energ}' and 
success. He was seven )ears older than Schlatter, and had been in America four years 
longer, and knew the destitutions quite as well as Schlatter, and they rejoiced together. 
Each rejoiced in the success of their mutual toil. It is a very difficult matter for us at 
this day to obtain an idea of the exacting labor of this devoted apostle to the Gennans. 
From the northern part of Penns3'lvania, through New Jersey, and Marjdand, and Vir- 
ginia, this faithful man pursued his toilsome way, through forests without roads, over 
rivers without bridges, carrying his meals in his saddle-bags, sleeping at times in the open 
air, carrying money and books for distribution, preaching, administering the communion, 
baptizing children, confirming adults, organizing churches, installing officers, visiting the 
sick and burying the dead, which will serv-e to give us something of an idea of his hard 
toil. He came to Pennsylvania in 1746, and his mind was soon turned to the organization 
of a Synod of a Reformed Church. Notice had been given for a meeting of ministers and 
elders at Mr. Schlatter's house, on Chestnut Hill. Thirty-one ministers and elders were 
present, and on the 29th of September, 1747, the first Synod of the Reformed Chtirch was 
formed in the New World. Mr. Schlatter was held in the highest esteem by the people, 
from the Governor down to the humblest toiler building homes for future civilization. As 
soon as Mr. Schlatter returned, schools were established, and opened to all Protestant 
denominations.* The piipils were to be instructed in English, Gennan, writing, book- 
keeping, singing of Psalms, and the "true principles of the holy Protestant religion, in the 
same manner as the fathers were instructed at the schools in those countries from which 
they came. They were to have schools for girls, and lady teachers to teach the use of the 
needle. All were to be taught the catechism of sound doctrine which is approved by their 
own ministers and parents. Catechisms used by Calvanists and Lutherans were to be 
printed in ' English and Dutch ' (German) and distribiited among the poor, together with 
other good books, at the expense of the society." Trustees were appointed to watch over 
the schools and report to the principal trustees. They were to have quarterly meetings, 
at which Schlatter was to be present. Over the whole system of schools thus established, 
Mr. Schlatter was to have super^-ision, establishing and visiting the schools. A paper was 
established for the use of the schools, in Philadelphia, published in the German language. 

Here we have a system of free schools in the early colonial history of Pennsylvania, 
with quarterly and annual meetings, sustaining a printing press, established by the energy 
and unselfishness of Rev Mr. Schlatter, over which he was appointed superintendent. It 

^'Schlatter's Life, page 272. 



12 THE HISTORY OF 

imist have been a source of pleasing reflection to the faithful, toiling servant of God, as 
he passed through the country, visiting the pupils in their log school houses, carefully 
preparing for the battles of life, and realize the part he had been permitted to take in 
the great work. He visited Easton before he went to Europe, as this was one of the 
forty-six congregations mentioned by him in his appeal. He presented a Bible to the 
Reformed Church at the " Forks of the Delaware," translated by Martin Luther, and this 
precious volume is still in the possession of the church, and carefully kept in the safe at 
the store of Mr. Anglemeyer. The following is an inscription, found in the front part of 
the Bible, translated by Dr. Detwiller : "Biblia Sacra, or Holy Bible, was presented by 
Michael Schlatter, V. D. M., and Inspector of the Liberties at Philadelphia, to the Reformed 
Easton Church and congregation, with the friendly request that the elders and deacons 
shall bear reasonable concern for their followers that this Bible is used for and during piib- 
lic service in the church. Soli : Gloria in Excelsis, Deo." 

The list of churches on page 203 of "Harbaugh's Life of Schlatter, " indicates that he 
visited Easton (the "Forks") before he went to Europe, in the early part of 1751 ; and the 
gift of this Bible indicates a visit subsequent to his return. He was doubtless led here by 
his duties as a minister and superintendent of the charity schools. He died in 1790, and 
was buried in Philadelphia, in what is now Franklin Square. In 1837 the city took pos- 
session of the burying ground. Some of the bodies were removed, more remained. Among 
those that remained was Mr. Schlatter's. The surface was some four or five feet lower 
than the surrounding ground. The tombstones were laid flat upon the graves, and the 
low surface was graded to a level. That beautiful square covers thousands of silent sleep- 
ers awaiting the resurrection of the just. Directly east of the sparkling jets, a few feet in 
from the circular gravel-walk, under the green sod, lie the Revs. Steiners, Winkhaus, 
Drs. Weyberg and Hendel, the aged. Directly north of this spot, about midway between 
it and Vine street, lies the Rev. Michael Schlatter, one of the greatest of American mis- 
sionaries ! 



EASTON, PENNA. 



Geological Description of the Locality of Easton— The First House at the Point — Survey of the Town — Penn's 
Letter— Old Names of Streets— Northampton County— Court ; First Session — First Hotel —Vernon — First 
Families — Employments— School Fund— Building a School House — Church— Subscribers. 




[he location thus chosen upon which to build the Town seems to have 
been a whirlpool caused by the mingling of the waters of the two rivers, 
as, in digging wells, driftwood has been found thirty feet below the surface. 
Rocks weighing tons, of the conglomerate formation, are also found six or 
eight feet below the surface. Of these rocks there is no formation nearer 
than twenty miles above the town, along the Delaware. The same causes that 
produced these changes are still at work along the shores of the river. 
This is a fine region for the geologist to examine. "The underlying rock 
is the limestone (secondary), yet within a short distance north of the town 
there is a hill of several miles in length of the primitive formation, while 
on either side of this hill the limestone rock is unmistakably presented. 
Geologists call it a freak of nature, and such an upheaving of primarj- rock as is here 
to be seen is rarely met with. For the formation of a cabinet of minerals, the vicinity 
of Easton affords one of the best opportunities in the State ; there is to be found the 
}ellow serpentine in great profusion ; topaz, berjl, chalcedony, and other precious stones 
have also been found. Many years after the town was settled, in the time of a freshet in 
the Bushkill, a part of its waters united with the Lehigh through a gully passing nearly 
north and south, halfway between the Delaware Bridge and the Court House" (Square).* 
This was called "Molasses Hollow." Upon this piece of land, at the foot of Ferr}- street, 
the first house in Easton was built by David Martin in 1739. 

When the County of Northampton was established in 1752, there was a population of 
over six thousand inhabitants in the covinty, and the inhabitants of New Jersey were crowd- 
ing towards the western part of the State, and a means of crossing the Delaware was 
demanded, and a ferry was established at ' ' The Point ;' ' and, for the convenience of this 
ferry, this first house had been built. It was a one-stor>- log house. Travelers were taken 
across either river in row boats, and if the traveler was pursuing his w^ay on horseback, the 
saddle would be placed in the boat and the horse would swim along by the side. This 
house plays a very important part in the history of Easton, and was a source of wealth to 
all who were so fortunate as to be its owner. It was the most valuable property in the 
town. The spot upon which it stood became one of the most prominent in the history' of 
the State. This humble structure was to be the scene of diplomatic struggles between the 
representatives of civilized and savage life. It was built eleven years before the town was 
surveyed, and during these early years David Martin was "monarch of all he siirveyed." 
The dusky children of the forest would flit past his quiet home, the deer would gambol 
about him, an occasional traveler would cross the river, stop and talk a few moments and 

* Lehigh Valley, page 50-51. 



u 



THE HISTORY OF 



pass on througli the forest. In this lonesome way this first denizen of Easton passed along 
the silent pathway of life, little dreaming of the stirring scenes destined to make his log 
house the centre of such an abiding interest. 

In 1750 Northampton County was a part of Bucks. Thomas Penn, in a letter from 
England, dated September 8, 1751, to Governor Hamilton, says : "Some time since I wrote 
to Dr. Graeme and Mr. Peters to lay out some ground in the forks of the Delaware for a 
town, which I suppose they have done, or begun to do. I desire it may be called Easton, 
from mv Lord Pomfret's house ; and whenever there is a new county, that shall be called 
Northampton." Thomas Penn had married a daughter of Lord Pomfret, whose name was 
Julianna Fermor. The names of Pomfret, Fermor, Julianna aud Hamilton were the names 
of streets crossing Northampton for an entire century, and these historic names were dis- 
carded, and the numerals. First, Second, Third and Fourth, take their place. It is to be 
regretted that these names, so intimately connected with the early histor>' of Easton, should 
thus have been lost. The survey which Thomas Penn alluded to in his letter from Eng- 
land, was begun in 1750 by Parsons and Scull. There is a list of the names of the work- 
men employed by the surveyors in the work 
of clearing the streets, cutting the timber, and 
all the other necessary work to be done. This 
paper, in the handwriting of William Par- 
sons, is in the possession of the Pennsylvania 
Historical Society, dated May 9, 1750 — the 
da\' on which the survey commenced. Some 
of the hands were employed nine days, and 
so on to one or two days, and received each 
eighteen pence per day, finding their own 
board. One of these workmen was Melchior 
Hay, the owner of a farm of three hundred 
acres of land, upon which South Easton now 
stands. This was the great-grandfather of our townsman, Mr. Hay, now a merchant near 
the Post-office. During the time occupied by the survey they made their home at the 
public-hoiTse of John Lefebre, about six miles up the Bushkill, or Lehicton, or Tatamy's 
Creek. This house was on the road from Easton to the Wind Crap, near where Messinger's 
stood twenty-five years ago. This was the nearest public-house to Easton, and was situated 
on the Indian path which led from "The Forks" to Tatamy's Gap, in the Blue Moun- 
tains. This path also passed the house of the Indian chief Tatamy, about one mile from 
Lefebre' s. 

Lefebre was one of the French refugees, or Huguenots, whose ancestors arrived with 
the early Dutch emigrants about 1620, in connection with the Depue's. He is said to have 
been a man of intelligence, kept a good house and provided liberally. There was game in 
the forest, and at that time of the year fish in the streams. So we may suppose that the 
suiAe>iug party lived well while the town of Easton was being surveyed. The bill was 
not \ery extravagant — only ^2, lis., gd., for ten days, and this, we are told, included 
"slings." There is no doubt the landlord felt highly honored in entertaining such guests. 
One had been, and the other was, Surveyor General of Pennsylvania. They had been 
accustomed to city life in Philadelphia. All the politeness of his race would be called into 




DAVID MARTIN S FERRV Hi 



EASTO S\ PENN ' A . 



15 



Taction, which would tend to make the temporary home pleasant. The survey of the town 
^was finished May 19, 1750. 

Bv virtne of the following Act of Assembly, passed March 11, 1752, the Count}- of 
Northampton was erected: "Whereas, a great number of the inhabitants of the upper 
parts of the County of Bucks, by their petition, have hereby represented to the Governor 
and Assemblv of this Province the great hardships they lie under by being so remote from 
the seat of judicature and the public offices, that the necessar\- means for obtaining justice 
is attended with so much difficulty and expense that many forego their rights rather than 
attempt the recovers- of them under such circumstances ; while others, sensible of these 
difficulties, commit great villainies with impunity." 

Influenced by these reasons, the act was passed, and Northampton County was set 
apart. The same act provided that Thomas Craig, Hugh Wilson, John Jones, Thomas 
Armstrong and James Martin, or any three of them, were to purchase land at a convenient 
place on which to build a Court House and prison. At a council held in Philadelphia the 
9th of June, 1752, Thomas Craig, Daniel Broadhead, Timothy Horsefield, Hugh Wilson, 
James Martin, John Vanatta, Aaron Depuy, William Craig and William Parsons, Esquires, 
were appointed Justices of the new County of Northampton. The first session of the 
Court, the above-named Justices presiding, was held June 16, 1752. On this i6th of June 
Lewis Gordon appeared before the Court, and stating that he was admitted an attorney to 
practice law in Philadelphia and Bucks, was, upon his prayer, admitted an attorney to 
j practice in the Courts of Northampton.* At this same day's session, William Craig and 
John Anderson applied for a license to keep a hotel, which was granted, and they erected 
their hotel on the south side of the Square, on a piece of land adjoining the jail lot. 
Nathaniel Vernon applied for license at the time, but was refused. He renewed his appli- 
cation in December, and a license was granted to him. He had purchased the ferr}' of tlit 
heirs of David ]\Iartin, and established his hotel in the log house built at the fern,-. TIk 
next tavern -svas that of Paul Miller, who came from Philadelphia. In 1754 he employee 
Jasper Scull to build a taveni-house for him at the southwest corner of Fourth and North 
ampton streets. This became a house somewhat noted from the prominent men who tool 
their lodgings there while in Easton. Among those was Governor Denny while attending 
tUe Indian treaty. 

In a letter, dated December 8, 1752, six months after the first session of the Court, 
William Parsons says that there were then eleven families living in town (probabh- abou 
forty men, women and children); and in the histories of Northampton Count}- and Lehigl 
Valley we have a list of these families and their callings : William Parsons, Clerk o 
Courts, &c. ; Lewis Gordon, lawyer ; Henry- Alshouse, carpenter ; Abraham Berlin, smith 
Nathaniel Vernon, ferryman ; William Craig and John Anderson, tavern-keepers ; Pan 
IMiller, tavern-keeper; Eniest Becker, baker; Anthony Es.ser. butcher; John Finley 
mason ; Myer Hart, shop-keeper. 

Abraham Berlin was a blacksmith and prepared the ironwork for the jail. His nauK 
appears prominently in the business transactions of the town, and was an active membe: 
of the Committee of Safet}-. 

Ernest Becker was a baker — a new-comer from German}-. He was the materna 
grandfather of Mr. George Troxell, to whom Mr. Becker told the circumstances of Ir' 

* Rupp's History of Northampton. 



i6 THE HISTORY OF 

arrival in Eastoii with his family : "When I came to Easton there were onh- three lions ) 
bnilt, in none of which was there room to accommodate myself and family ; therefoi ' 
I was obliged to unload my goods iipon the public square, and there, under a tree, strike 
up a tent and encamp until I had erected a small house, which did not require many days. 
The neicrhbors generously aided me in building my home." The new mansion stood in 
North Hamilton (Fourth) street, several perches from Northampton street. There is little 
doubt but what this first baker of Easton was as happy in this log structure as the present 
inhabitants in the costly homes of Third and Fourth streets. He said: "My intention 
was to follow my business as a baker. I labored under considerable difficulties ; the pro- 
curing flour rendered it necessary for me to go to Bethlehem, where a mill had been erected 
a few years before, and there being no road to that place yet opened, I took a bag and 
walked there on the Indian path, and returned with as much flour on my back as I could 
conveniently carry. My supply was frequently replenished in this way." If our bakers of 
the present day were compelled to carry their flour as far as this sturdy German carried his, 
we should not complain if their loaves were small. 

Mr. Anthony Esser was the first butcher of Easton. He had no wagon at that early 
day, because he could not rise one if he had, as there were no roads ; and so, we suppose, 
he delivered his meat to his customers in a basket from house to house. But when the 
crowds attended the Indian treaties, the baker and butcher had a harvest. A large stock 
was prepared, and there were lively times in the little town. In the early days of April, 
1757, William Parsons was preparing to move into his new house on the comer of Fourth 
and Ferr\' streets, as it was then complete. He had some difficulty in getting meat for 
his friends at the moving, when there would be a large party in attendance. He could 
get no mutton, and, what was more, he could get no one to cook it. But the matter was 
finallv arranged, and he moved into the new home, and had high hopes of enjoying the 
comforts of life in his new mansion. 

John Finley was the first mason of our city, and laid up the walls of the prison in 
1752. The stone wall enclosing the prison was built at a later day. Me\'er Hart was 
the first merchant of Easton. His stock was very small when he began business, as the 
number of his customers was limited. In 1763 his county tax was nineteen shillings, 
being more than was paid by any other man in Easton. At this time he owned three 
houses, several negroes, besides his stock in trade. In 1782 his stock was valued at $1200. 
What composed his stock is hard to tell ; quite likely dry goods and groceries. Meyer 
Hart had a son named Michael, who established himself in a store in town, on the south- 
east corner of the public square. *An anecdote is told about Michael, who had the mis- 
fortune of being a stammerer, and had received the name of the " stuttering Jew. " A 
country woman came into his store, and not knowing Michael, innocently inquired if he 
was the " stuttering Jew. " Instantly he became ver>' angry, and it was only because of 
her fleetness on foot that she escaped his wrath, and then only by concealing herself in a 
neighbor's store till the storm was passed and the descendant of Abraham had allowed 
his passion to subside. 

The funds arising from Mr. Schlatter's visit to Europe had begun to arrive in this 
country, and the people of Easton desired to enjoy the benefit of the fund thus established 
in aid both of a church and school house. The Peims had determined that Easton should 

* Hist. L. V. , pajje 64. 



E AS TON, PENX'A. 



17 



be the county seat. It would thus become a business centre ; it should be a religious 
and educational centre as well. And so, in 1755, the people moved in the matter. They 
needed a school house and church, but as they could not build both, they would build 
one which would answer the purpose of both. A Board of Trustees had been appointed 
in Pennsylvania, of which William Smith, president of the Pennsylvania University, 
was one, and to him they would appeal for aid. And after the building was finished, 
Mr. Schlatter, as missionary of the churches and superintendent of the schools, would 
aid in their support. 

The following article speaks for itself: " We, the subscribers, being truly sensible of 
the great advantages our posterity may reap from the excellent charitable scheme lately 
formed in England for the education of Protestant youth in Pennsylvania, and being 
extremely desirous to encourage and promote the same, as far as in our power lies, have 
engaged and agreed, and do hereby engage and agree to and with William Parsons, James 
Martin, Peter Trexler, Esq., John Lefebre, Lewis Gordon and Peter Kichline, deputy 




Tin; ITKST CHIRCH AND SCHOOL HOUSE. 



trustees, mentioned and appointed by the trustees general of the said charitable scheme, 
that each of us will pay the sum of money and do and perform the work, labor and 
service in building and erecting a .school house, which may occasionally be made use of 
as a church for any protestant minister, to our names hereunto respectively set down 
and affixed. Dated Easton, Pa., the 31st day of July, 1755. 

" William Smith, in behalf of the Proprietor and Trustees, ;^30 ; William Parsons, 
^,'5 : Lewis Gordon, £2, ; Nicholas Scull, ^3 ; Nathaniel Vernon, £t, ; Peter Kichline, £2 ; 
Christian Rinker, ^i ; Jacob Bachman, _^i ; Jacob Miner, £1 ; Adam Yohe, £1 ; Lewis 
Knaus, los ; Lewis Klotz, los ; Henry Becker, js \ Geo. Michael Shurtz, 15.? ; John 
Levitz, 15J ; Anthony Esser, i^s ; George Reichart, 15.? ; John Wagle, £1 ; Geo. Ernest 
Becker, ^i ; John Rinker, los ; N. N., ys ; Daniel Gies, 5.? ; Jeremiah C. Rnssel, £1 ; 
Paul Miller, i£ ^s ; John Fricker, ^i 6s ; Meyer Hart, 20 lbs. nails ; Paul Reeser, 1000 
shingles ; Jacob Minor, 12 days' work ; Stephen Horn, i week's work ; Henry Alshouse, 
5 days' work ; John Finley, 6 days' work ; John Nicholas Reeder, 6 days' work ; 
Bartholomew Hoffman, 5 days' mason work ; Robert Miller, 4 days' work ; John Henry 



i8 THE HISTORY OF 

Bush, 5 days' carpenter work ; Jacob Krotz, 5 days' carpenter work ; James Fuller, 5 
days' stone digging ; John Chapman, 3 days' carting stone ; Henry Rinker, 30 bushels 
of lime; Henry Bush and John Weidman, 30 wagons stone and digging; Thomas 
Harris, 50 sash lights." 

The value of the subscription in Easton, including money and work, was about $200. 
The house was built of logs, and was finished in 1755. There were three rooms — one 
large and two small. This was three years after the county was established, and five 
years after the town was laid out by William Parsons and Nicholas Scull. There were 
eleven families in 1752, which had increased to forty in 1755, when the jail had been 
completed, and the new church and school house erected. It will thus be seen that the 
educational interests of Easton began with the German population, through the influence 
of Rev. Mr. Schlatter, who had succeeded in influencing the English king and Court in 
the formation of a society, whose object was to educate the poor Germans of Pennsylvania. 
Half of the money contributed to build the school house came from that society. It was 
an important step in the progress of society when this humble building was finished ; it 
marks an era in the progress of the rising town, and was a source of real pride to the 
community, as it met the wants of the public at the time, as well as the more costly 
structures of the present day. 

Robert Traill taught school one year while preparing for admission to the bar, and 
there is no doubt he performed the duties of pedagogue in this first temple of science 
in Easton. Here we have a Scotchman from the Orkneys teaching English to the 
Germans from the Palatinate. But we suppose he did his work well. 




OLD LEHIGH CHAIN BRIDGE. 
BUILT i8n. 



WILLIAM PARSONS 

" William Parsons rocked Easton in her cradle, and watched 
over her infant footsteps with paternal solicitude." — Anon. 



William Parsons ; Birth ; Arrival in America ; Married in Philadelphia ; A Shoemaker by Trade ; Surveyor 
General ; Moved to Easton ; Prothonotary ; Recorder ; Justice of the Peace ; Member of the 
Provincial Assembly— Grace Parsons ; Her Mission to Philadelphia— Indian War ; Terror and Alarm- 
Parsons Builds His House ; Health Fails ; His Death ; Parsons' Family. 




'ILLIAM PARSONS has been properly called the " God-father of Easton" 
by the historian of Bucks County. The historian of Northampton County 
calls him the "father of the infant town." By his kindness toward the 
early settlers of Easton, by his earnest toil, self-denying labor, fearlessness 
and manly courage, indomitable perseverance for the people of his care, in 
which he injured his health and shortened his days, he has nobly won the 
distinction thus given him by the pen of the thoughtful historian. The 
first writer above alluded to, after speaking of the character of this re- 
markable man, says, " And he sleeps in a neglected grave-yard." One can 
but think of the words on Pompey's tomb, " He who once deserved a 
temple, can scarce find a tomb." The people of Easton are not ungrateful. 
And, as the city shall grow in wealth and importance, — and as the noble Institution on 
Mount Lafayette shall become a star of the first magnitude in the educational world, the 
people of Easton will think more tenderly of William Parsons, and build him a monu- 
ment to commemorate his virtues, and inspire their children with the unselfish spirit of 
this remarkable man. 

William Parsons was born in England on the 6th of May, 1701. While a youth, he 
came to America, and settled in Philadelphia. Philadelphia was over forty years old 
when young Parsons took up his residence there and began life with all the ardor inspired 
by the busy scenes and rapid growth of the City of Brotherly Love. He was married in 
Philadelphia at twenty-one years of age, and worked for many years at his trade, being a 
shoemaker. There are very few employments in which there is so much time, and so 
many opportunities, for meditation and study, as that of a shoemaker. And we can easily 
imagine the care which young Parsons took to employ his spare hours in study. We can 
see his books lying upon his bench, day after day. We see him studying his grammar, 
writing his letters, and thus employing his time in preparing for positions of usefulness 
of which he had not dreamed. His evenings were carefully spent at home with his family. 
While Mrs. Parsons was busy with her family cares, her husband was busy witli his books. 
Having a fondness for mathematics, works on geometry, trigonometry and surveying were 
the books which occupied those leisure hours. While others may have read books for 
pleasure, he was studying for business. He was in a new world. The great State of 



20 THE HIS TOR V OF 

Pennsylvania was to be surveyed. Some one must traverse her vast domain with chain, 
theodolite and compass. And thus he spent his days in earning bread for his family, and 
his hours of bodily rest in preparing for future usefulness. The energies of his intellect 
were too vigorous to be confined in a shoemaker's shop. He was ambitious for a wider 
field of labor. It is not strange if he had some idea of future fame. In his new home 
there was room for ambitious minds to expand, and grow strong, and reach after, and 
grasp the prizes which were in store for the earnest, industrious, persevering mind. No 
doubt the star of hope rose brightly, and shown clearly before him, while toiling by day 
and studying by night. He seems, practically, to have adopted the motto of an eminent 
man, " Diiin vivimus vivafuus.''^ How patiently he toiled, how carefully he studied, how 
successfully he mastered the science and art of surveying, appears from his complete 
success in grasping the object of his ambition. Nineteen years after his marriage, being 
forty-years of age, and in 1741 he received the appointment of surveyor general of Penn- 
sylvania. He laid aside his apron, bundled up his tools, gave his commission to Mrs. 
Parsons for safe keeping, took his surveyor's chain, theodolite and compass, and plunged 
into the woods, to lay out the boundaries of counties and towns in the grand common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania. He had patiently struggled and nobly won his proud position. 
He felt he had not toiled for naught. Those busy years of toil and study had born fruit. 
He had risen by his own industry, and had an honest right to be proud. He could look 
back to his home across the sea, he could think of himself as a strange youth in a strange 
land, with little to help him but honesty of purpose, industrious habits, and indomitable 
perseverance ; and these lifted him up from the shoemaker's bench to the proud position 
of surveyor general of the noble commonwealth, where the spirit for persecution for re- 
ligious opinion has never dared to raise its head — one of the brightest spots on earth. Mr. 
Parsons was not a man of a strong constitution, and found the position of surveyor very 
laborious, while it was an honorable one, and quite profitable. Yet he held the position 
but seven years, having been compelled to resign the office in 1748, on account of ill- 
health. He then removed to Lancaster, and remained there until the laying out of the 
town of Easton and the erection of the county of Northampton rendered his services in- 
dispensable to the Penns, who induced him to leave Lancaster and take up his residence 
in Easton, for the purpose of filling the offices of Prothonotary and Clerk of the Courts of 
Northampton ; and also to act as the proprietaries' agent in taking care of their property 
interests in the county. How faithfully he performed his duties to his employers and to 
the people of the town, will appear as we proceed with his history. In 1752, we find our 
friend Parsons engaged in his new sphere of activity. His anxiety for the welfare of the 
people, in the present and future of the town, is manifest in the following extracts from 
a letter to Richard Peters, Secretary of the Proprietary Government : " Upon removing 
my family to this place, my thoughts have been more engaged in considering the circum- 
stances of this infant town than ever, as well with regard to its neighborhood, as the 
probability there is of being furnished with provisions from the inhabitants near about it ; 
and if there already is, or probably may in time be, a sufficient number of settlers to carry 
on a trade with the town, for without these, it is not likely it would be improved to 
any great height, as well with regard to the town itself; that is to say, its situation as to 
health, trade and pleasantness. The site of the town is pleasant and very agreeable ; the 
banks of all the waters bounding it are high and clear ; and if it was as large again as it 



E AS TON, PENN\l. 21 

is — being now about one hundred acres — it might be said to be a very beautiful place for 
a town. It is true that it is surrounded on every side by very high hills, which make it 
appear under some disadvantages at a distance, and might give some occasion for sus- 
picion of its not being very healthy ; but during all the last summer, which was very 
dry, and the fall, which has been remarkably wet, I don't know that any one has been 
visited with the fever, or any other sickness, notwithstanding most of the people have 
been much exposed to the night air and wet weather, from which I make no difficulty 
to conclude the place is, and will continue, very healthy. And in regard to the trade up 
the river, that would likewise be very advantageous to the town, as well as to the country 
in general, even in the single article of lumber, as there is plenty of almost all kinds of 
timber above the mountains, where there are also many good conveniences for erecting 
saw mills, and several are built already, from whence the town might be supplied with 
boards, shingles, etc. The west branch will also be of advantage to the town, as it is 
navigable several miles for small craft, and Tatamy's creek being a good stream of water to 
erect mills upon, will also contribute towards the advancement of the town ; the Jersey 
side being at present more settled near the river, opposite the forks, than the Pennsylvania 
side ; and indeed the land is better watered and more convenient for settlement than it is 
on this side, for several miles about Easton. We have been supplied as much, or 
more, from that side as our own. But how Mr. John Cox's project of laying out a town 
upon his land, adjoining Mr. Martin's land, on the side of the river opposite to Easton, 
may affect this town, is hard to say and time only can obviate. To the northward and 
westward of the Dryland are the Moravian settlements, about eleven miles from the 
town. These settlements are not only of no advantage, but rather a disadvantage to the 
town, for, being an entire and separate interest by themselves, corresponding only with 
one another where they can avoid it, except where the advantage is evidently in their 
favor, it can't be expected the town can reap any benefit from them. And this leads me 
to wish for the good of Easton, if the Honorable, the proprietor, should incline to have 
the Dryland's improved, that it may not be disposed of to the Moravians. Not because 
they are Moravians, but because their interests interfere so much with the interests of the 
town. If the Drylands should be chiefly settled by them, the Master Brethren would 
have the sole direction and disposal of all that should be raised there, which would be 
more discouraging and worse to the town than if the lands were not inhabited at all. 

" Upon the whole, the town has been hitherto very well supplied with meat, beef, 
pork, mutton, butter, turnips, etc. But how it will be supplied with hay and pasturage, 
I can't clearly foresee ; I mean, if the town increase, as I am in great hopes it will. 

" If I might presume to speak my opinion, and I know you expect I should, if I speak 
at all, I could wish that a sufficient quantity of the Drylapds might be appropriated for 
out-lots, and that all the rest were to be settled and improved, and that by the Dutch 
people, although they were of the poorer sort of them. I don't mention the Dutch people 
from any peculiar regard I have for them, more than for other people, but becau.se they 
are generally more laborious, and conformable to their circumstances, than some others 
amongst us are. I need not say who they are, but it is an old observation, that poor 
gentle folks don't always prove the fittest to begin new places where labor is chiefly 
wanted. There are now eleven families in Easton, who all propose to stay during the 
winter, and when our pri.son is finished, which there is hopes that it soon will be, as it is 



22 THE HISrOR V OF 

now about covered in, there is a great probability tliat that number will be increased 
before spring." 

It is very evident, from the above letter, that the Proprietaries well knew their agent 
before they chose him. There seems to be some desire to know just what was intended 
by " poor gentle folks," but the imagination only can aid us. The Proprietaries seem to 
have shared the uneasy feelings in regard to the growth of Phillipsburg. And Thomas 
Penn wrote to Richard Peters, May 7th, 1752 : "I think we should secure all the land 
one can on the Jersey side of the water." It was, no doubt, a source of annoyance to Mr. 
Parsons that Phillipsburg considerably outnumbered Easton in population. This entire 
letter expresses the deepest interest in the welfare of the town, the warm sympathies of 
this earnest friend of Easton. Mr. Parsons was desirous that the jail should be soon 
finished, not to incarcerate prisoners, but to be a place of refuge in case of invasion 
from the Indians, to whose solid enclosure mothers might flee with their babes and be 
safe, and where the daughters of Easton might be safe from savage violence. No man 
was happier than he when this old castle was finished. The next thing to which Mr. 
Parsons turned his attention was a school house, which should serve the double purpose 
for school and church. This, too, was breathed into life by his earnest soul. Four years 
before, there had been formed in England, and in some parts of Germany, a society whose 
purpose was to educate poor Germans in America. The king, George II, had subscribed 
largely to this fund. William Parsons applied to William Smith, president of the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania, for aid from this society. Mr. Smith subscribed thirty pounds, to 
this Mr. Parsons subscribed five pounds, others added small sums, until the sum of sixty- 
one pounds and one shilling was raised. " Mr. Parsons was strongly opposed to letting the 
people of the town subscribe at all ; for, as he said, they were all Dutch, and so stubborn 
were they, that if permitted to have any voice in the matter, they would, by their obsti- 
nacy, frustrate the whole enterprise. By this, however, he did not desire to shut out the 
children from the benefits of the school, but preferred they should receive the advantages 
gratuitously, rather than by receiving their subscriptions incur the risk of their inter- 
ference in the management." Money having been subscribed, the work was begun and 
finished in 1755. It was a log structure, and stood on the northeast corner of Sitgreaves 
street and Church alley. This was the first school house— the first church building erected 
in Easton. Mr. Parsons felt an honest pride in the completion of the building. Here the 
people could go to church on the Sabbath, and their children to school during the week. 
" Here the slow-going Lutherans and the more fiery Presbyterians" could worship God in 
harraonv and peace. All now seemed moving along very successfully. The future 
seemed to brighten. The people were happy with such evidence of prosperity around 
them. But suddenly the report came, like a clap of thunder from a cloudless sky, of the 
murder by the Indians of all the missionaries and inhabitants at Gnaden Hutten (now 
Weissport). All was consternation at Bethlehem and Easton. All feared the destruction 
of the town. Ail that could, fled for safety down the river. Mr. Parsons wrote to Gov- 
ernor Morris, informing him of the desperate state of afifairs at Easton. He had no arms, 
no ammunition, and but few males to defend the town. The letter implored aid in men, 
arms, and all necessaries of defense. But there were no mails to carry the letter, no 
money to pav a special messenger, and no man could be spared. Here Mr. Parsons was 
put to the sorest trial of his life. There was no one who could be spared but his daughter 



EASTOX. P£XX'.-i. 



23 



Grace. If her father desired it, she would take the letters to the Governor, a distance of 
sixty-five miles, a two daj-s journey, through unbroken forests, guided by Indian trails 
and bridle paths to Philadelphia. It may not be easy to tell the feelings of the father as 
his young daughter came from the house, somewhat pale from the apprehension and excite- 
ment, mounted her favorite steed, and receiving what might be the last kiss from the lips 
of her fond father, started upon her mission. There was, perhaps, some comfort in the 
fathers mind that his daughter was leaving the terror of an Indian massacre behind her, 
but he felt she might meet the scalping knife ahead. But the sacrafice was necessar>-, and 
the brave father, and the braver daughter, bore their mutual share of the dangers of those 
dark days in the histor\- of our now beautiful town. The walls of the jail would defend 
the women and children that remained. While others fled, Parsons stood at his post 
While his daughter was bravely pursuing her lonely way to Philadelphia, he was anxious 
to defend the inhabitants who were in constant fear of the dreaded foe. Grace Parsons 




HOUSE ERECTED BY WILLIAM PARSONS IS THE YEAR I757. 
NOW OWNED .\ND OCCl'PIED BY JACOB DACHRODT. 



started for Philadelphia the latter part of December, 1755. During the entire Winter and 
Spring the people of the town were in a state of anxiety. Parsons had been appointed 
Major of the militia, though he was not called to act. 

On page 58, of the Histor\- of Lehigh Valley, we find the following: "William 
Parsons, from the erection of the county till his death, December, 1757, held the offices 
of Prothonotan.-, Clerk of the Courts. Recorder, Clerk of the Commissions, and Justice of 
the Peace. In 1755 he was appointed Major of the Continental troops ; and, in 1754, he 
represented Northampton County :n the Provincial Assembly." 

Though the business of the Courts was small, compared with to-day, yet his duties 
must have been burdensome, indeed. In addition to all this, the harassing cares of the 
war added a still heavier burden. How anxiously he watched the progress of the prison 
walls which were to be an a.^ylum from the scalping knife of the treacherous Indian ! Not 



24 THE /US TOR Y OF 

an element of danger seemed to escape his ever-watchfnl eyes, and he was constantly 
forming plans for the better protection of the people whose care he had volnntarily and 
manfully taken upon his shoulders. 

The following letter* to Secretary Peters, Philadelphia, tells its own story. It is 
dated December 6, 1756. 

" In obedience to his Honor's command, I do hereby humbly certify that I have 
supplied Fort Allen, Fort Norris, Fort Hamilton, and the Fort at Hyndshaws, with powder 
and lead, out of the magazine at Easton, as follows : 

" August 24, Fort at Hyndshaws, [55^ lbs. powder, 90 lbs. lead, 25 flints. October 
II, Fort Hamilton, 50 lbs. of powder, 100 lbs. of lead. October 17, Fort Norris, 20 lbs. 
of powder, 23 lbs. of lead. October 21, Fort Allen, 47 lbs. of powder, 103 lbs. of lead, 
and 150 flints. October 26, Fort Norris, 25 lbs. of powder, 11 lbs. of lead. Since which 
a further supply of powder and lead has been sent to Hyndshaws Fort. But as I have not 
the receipt in town, and therefore cannot certify the amount supplied, but believe all 
the forts are pretty well supplied at present. There is now in store at Easton about one 
barrel of powder, and a proportionable quantity of lead. And I am of opinion, that it will 
be necessary to furnish two barrels of powder, and a proportionable quantity of lead, for a 
magazine at Easton during the Winter season. And as I imagine the country people are 
not all of them sufficiently provided with powder and lead, I think it would not be amiss 
to add to the above magazine a quantity to be divided among them, in case the enemy 
should appear again on our frontiers this Winter. Flints are also much wanted. 
" I am, sir, your obedient and humble servant, 

WM. PARSONS." 

This bountiful supply of ammunition came in answer to the message carried to Phila- 
delphia by Miss Grace Parsons. The courageous girl succeeded in her mission, and 
brought relief to the terror-stricken town, and the heart of her anxious father. She had 
braved the danger of a long journey, along which silent pathway the deadly missile might 
have been hurled at her trembling heart by the lurking savage. She knew the danger, 
and dared to meet it. There is not an instance of more daring courage in the history of 
Easton, yet the duty was performed by a young maiden, at the request of her father, and 
by a sense of duty. This one deed has made her name honorable among the heroic 
characters of the past histor)- of our city. There is no evidence that she returned to 
console her father during his declining days or minister to his wants when dying. The 
mothers of Easton may well feel proud of this noble daughter of those dark days. 

Mr. Parsons had been for some time building a house on the corner of Fourth and 
Ferry streets, which, having been frnishdd, he would move into it in the month of April, 
and felt secure within its massive walls. It is still in a good state of perservation, and 
should be preserved as a monument of those dark days. But this good man was drawing 
toward the end of his eventful life. His health was failing, and in the Spring of 1757 he 
went on a journey in quest of health. But his work was done. He was a noble, faithful, 
honest, earnest man. He did his work well. He was a true friend of Easton when she 
needed a friend. His health was impaired, and his life shortened in toiling for her 
welfare. The successful growth of Easton was the object of his prayers, the happiness of 
her people the end for which he toiled. In this matter he was unselfish. It was a work 

Penna. Archives, Vol. III., page Si. 



i-sAsrox, PEXw-i. 25 

of love and anxious care for a young and growing community, which was always ready to 
listen to his suggestions for the common good. He returned to Easton after a short time; 
his health was failing. He gazed upon these hills, and valleys, and beautiful rivers ; he 
saw the probability of peace with the Indians. He died December 22, 1757, in the fifty- 
seventh year of his age. No people^ ever lost a better friend than Easton lost when 
William Parsons died. He lies in the grave on Mount Jefferson. /// pace qiiiescat. 



THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM PARSONS. 

Any new matter concerning this remarkable man is of deep interest to every lover of 
Easton' s history. A letter received from Mr. Ethan A. Weaver, of Philadelphia, October 
25, 1885, contains some new fa^ls which we gladly record; and the same letter has led to 
other investigations which have given us a more intimate knowledge of his family. Mr. Par- 
sons came to this country when quite a youth, for he was married at the age of twenty- 
one. As has already been stated, he worked at his trade in Philadelphia; how long he was 
thus employed it may be difficult to ascertain. He could not have been a man of leisure, 
or he would not have learned a trade, which was without doubt his source of living. His 
knowledge of mathematics was undoubtedly obtained in this country, for it was nearly 
twenty years after his marriage before he was commissioned Surveyor-General of Pennsyl- 
\ania. In the above-named letter we read: " He was a shoemaker, residing in Philadel- 
phia, where he also passed for a man having a profound knowledge of mathematics." He 
was a member of the Benjamin Franklin _/««/» Cliib^ from which developed the present 
American Philosophical Society. In a letter of Franklin, dated April 5, \-]\\[2i facsimile 
copy of which is before me), he writes: "The society, as far as relates to Philadelphia, is 
actiially founded, and has had several meetings, to mutual satisfaction;"' and among its 
members names Mr. William Parsons as geographer. 

Associated with him in this early membership, besides the great Franklin himself, 
were Mr. John Bartram as botanist, Mr. Thomas Godfrey as mathematician (Godfrey was 
inventor of the sextant), and others no less distinguished, confirming the belief that Par- 
sons was a man of profound knowledge. The letter of Franklin, to which reference has 
been made, was written three years after Parsons was commissioned Sur\-e)or-General, and 
twenty-two years after his marriage, and all these years he was bus\- storing up his knowl- 
edge, which was to fit him for companionship with Franklin, Bartram and Godfrey, lead- 
ing minds on the Continent. His kindness of heart, his generous nature, his associa- 
tion with the purest and noblest men of his time, attra(5ling the attention of him who 
played with the lightnings as children play with their toys, may well excite the pride of 
Easton that such an one "rocked her in her cradle and watched over her infant footsteps 
with paternal .solicitude." While a very thoughtful historian calls him " The Godfather 
of Easton," and another still calls him "The Father of the Infant Town," we can but 
wonder why the name of such a man is not found upon a public building in Easton! It 
is to be hoped that some generous and grateful heart will see to it that the name of this 
unselfish friend of Easton will be placed in letters of gold for her children to gaze at. 

From the same letter of Mr. Weaver we are informed that "the family was connected 
with the Moravian Church in Philadelphia and Bethlehem, and that one daughter had 



26 THE HISTORY OF 

died while in the Sisters' House." The next day after he received the letter the author 
went to Bethlehem to consult the records of that church. He was very kindly and 
courteously received by Rev. Mr. Levering, pastor of the church. The pastor showed the 
author every attention, led the way into the room in the church building where the rec- 
ords were kept; he unlocked the massive doors of the safe, and laid the books on the table. 
The)' were neatly kept in Gennan until 1850, and from that time in English. The 
obituary roll was the first consulted. While looking for the name of a deceased daughter 
we found an account of the death of the mother. The death-roll is very handsomely kept. 
The death of each member of the church is recorded, and a brief obituary notice is ap- 
pended. "Mrs. Johanna Christianna (Parsons) was born in Germany, and came to Phila- 
delphia in her youth. She came in company with her uncle. The date of her arrival in 
Philadelphia is not given, but her marriage to William Parsons is dated 1722. She sur- 
vived her husband sixteen years — died in 1773, aged seventy-four. She lived a quiet and 
retired life, and the last six weeks did not leave her room. She died in the loving arms of 
the Moravian Church and in the full exercise of the Christian faith as developed by that 
remarkable people. The fruits of this marriage were six children, only two of which 
survived her." As no males are ever mentioned, it is proper to conclude only daughters 
were born. We failed to find the name of any daughter who had died. But in consult- 
ing a large catalogue of the names of the young sisters of that church, we found the name 
of Julianna Parsons in the catalogue of 1764. This daughter became the second wife of 
Timothy Horsefield, of Bethlehem. There are still three of these daughters to account for. 
Of all the children of Mr. Parsons, the deepest interest attaches to the name of Grace. 
This is the one who, history asserts, was sent to Philadelphia as an ambassadress to the 
Government, imploring aid to save Easton from destruction by the Indians. A vast amount 
of time has been spent to learn something of the subsequent history of this noble daughter 
of Easton. (This sent the author to Bethlehem to consult the records of the Moravian 
Church.) The histories of Northampton County and Lehigh Valley both assert this inci- 
dent. But on page 737, volume 6th, of the "Colonial Records," we have the despairing 
letter of Mr. Parsons to the Government, depi<?ting the distress: "Pray help us, for we are 
in great distress. I do not know what we shall do for want of anns. If I can get a wagon 
to bring my daughter to Philadelphia, I will send her off immediately." Failing to find 
a wagon, and darkness increasing, she would naturally be sent on horseback. * And it was 
published many years ago, in a magazine, that Grace was sent in the saddle instead of a 
wagon, and this was related to Elisha Allis, Esq. , by an old resident, who read it in the 
magazine. The author has been thus particular in this matter in order that this heroic 
girl may have her memory kept green in the history of our city. The history of two of 
the children is entirely unknown as yet. If other information comes to hand before the 
completion of this volume, it will find a place in notes at the end of the work. 



* A letter on page 761, Vol. VI., Colonial Records, confirms this view. He writes : "I make bold to trou- 
ble you once more, and it is not unlikely that it may be the last time." The poor man saw death staring him 
in the face. " I have spent," he continues, "what little stock of cash I had in public services, so that I am 
compelled to send this by a private hand." This letter was sent to Hamilton and Franklin. 



THE JAILS OF EASTON. 



First Jail ; Parsons' Anxiety for Its Completion ; Its Cost ; Where It Stood ; When Finished ; How Long It 
Stood — Second Jail; Where Built; Its Cost; When It Was Built; Its Present Condition — Third Jail ; 
Where It Stands; Its Cost; Size; Plan of the Building ; How It Is Kept — John Dillman ; His Execution 
— The Suicide of the Italian Condemned to be Executed — Louis Gordon, First Lawyer of Easton ; 
Birthplace ; His Removal to Easton ; When Admitted to the Bar ; Usefulness ; Enters the Revolutionary 
Contest ; Goes Over to the Enemy ; Returns to His Allegiance ; Takes the Test Oath to the Country ; Dies 
a Patriot. 




[XE of the reasons assigned for the establishment of a new County was, that 

,, it was so far to the seat of justice in Bucks county, that people would 

ife^^^l rather relinquish their rights than take the trouble to seek redress. And 

L:: 4 rogues took advantage of this and trod law under foot with imptmity. The 

new County having been established, the necessity of a Jail was at once 

suggested to the public mind. The new County was set up in 1752, and 

immediately the plan of a Jail was formed, and work begun. Courts could 

be accommodated at hotels or private houses, but desperate criminals could 

not be confined in log cabins or in the parlors of hotels. 

The first Jail was btiilt on the old Jail lot, south of the Square, and on 
the east side of Third street, on the ground now occupied by the store of 
Bixler & Correll, fronting Third street. This was the first building ere6led by the County. 
It was the building concerning which Mr. Parsons took so much interest ; it would not 
only be a place in which to confine criminals, but also a place where mothers and children 
could find shelter in case of invasion by Indians. Their log cabins could be burned by 
the savages, but massive stonewalls would not burn. "The Jail cost $1,066.67 when the 
walls were finished, and the wells dug. The trustees borrowed ^100 from Richard Peters, 
Esq., in 1752, toward the building, which amount they repaid in 1754, with two years' 
interest, ;^ii2." * 

At the close of the Revolutionary war, the unsettled matter of land titles in Wyoming 
came up again for adjudication. This grew into a war. The parties were styled the Penna- 
mites on the one side, and Yankees on the other. In 1784, twenty Yankees were taken 
prisoners and lodged in the old Jail. Peter Ealer kept the Jail. These Connecticut boys 
were lively fellows. They had been kept in confinement several months, and were tired 
of their boarding place, and desired a change. They effected a change on the 17th of 
September. Mr. Ealer tells his own story thus : "About four o'clock in the afternoon I 
ordered Frederick Barthold up-stairs in the prison, where the prisoners were confined, to 
let out of each room (they were in two rooms) two prisoners, as there were two handcuffed 
together, in order to fetch water as usual. And going up through an iron gate, and after 
the same was shut again, he heard the assistant say, the bread for the prisoners ought to 
be ready to be carried up when the prisoners were to be put back again. As they 
attempted to carr}- the water and bread throtigh the gate, it was seized by the Wyoming 

*Hist. L. v., page 75. 



28 



THE HISTORY OF 



prisoners, who were hid close by the gate. He endeavored to shut the gate again, but 
was overpowered, kicked and squeezed ver\' badly. The keeper's wife tried to lock the 
front door, biit the key was missing." The keeper sounded the alarm, tried to arouse the 
neighbors, but it was too late, the birds had flown. They soon removed the handcuffs 
from each other's hands, and, free as the mountain air, they steered their course to the 
land of steady habits, wiser men than when they came. This was, quite likely, the most 
exciting exxnt in the history of the old Jail, which stood nearly one hundred years. 
There are men now living who tell of the good times they had, in boyhood, of creeping 
into the Jail among the prisoners, through openings which boys knew how to find. They 
were welcome visitors from the outside world. They feared no harm from the inmates. 
Biit the old Jail of William Parsons must yield to the touch of time. It had played its 
part in the histor}- of Easton. The pillory and whipping post had passed away from 




THE I'IRST |AII. IX KASTOX. KRKCTEl) I752-'53; DKSTROVED 1S5I. 
SKETCHEIi BY SI'PT. \V. \V. COTTIXGHAM. 

Third street, and the old prison must follow. The old building inside of whose gloomy 
walls poor Getter had passed many hours of agony, where hope gave no joy to his soul, 
as far as time was concerned — those old walls which had echoed to the prayers of the 
penitent, to the groans of the sorrow-stricken soul, to the sigh of despair, when the sun 
of hope had set never to rise — those old walls were to pass away. But the principle 
which called them into being still remaining in human nature, another must be built to 
take its place. And so we have the history of 

THE SECOND J.\IL IN EASTON. 

The second Jail of the county was built on the old jail-lot, east of its predecessor; 
in front of which, facing Sitgreaves street, was built a brick house for the Slieriff's 
residence. The prison contained twent)'-three cells, nine by twelve feet, and four larger 



£ASrO^', PENN'A. 29 

ones, they being twelve feet square. The Jail was construdled of the limestone of the 
country. Surrounding it was a wall fifteen feet high. It was built in 1850 and 1851. 
The old walls of the second Jail are still standing, the rusty iron grated window telling the 
passer-by that this was once a prison. This Jail was used twenty years, from 1851 to 1871. 
When it was finished, the prisoners were marched from the first to the second Jail h\ the 
music of fife and drum. A building has been erefted on the top of the old walls, and is 
used by Mr. John Pollock for a brush manufactory'. The space between the walls and 
the Jail building is used as a stable and wagon house. The cells remain to remind us of 
the scenes of carousal of which the Grand Jur>' so sternly complained, when the prisoners 
were allowed their lager beer, and were permitted to have a good time. Those dark 
recesses look like the catacombs along the banks of the Nile, where the silence of death 
reigns supreme. The property now belongs to Mr. John Knecht, of Shimersville. 

THE THIRD COUNTY PRISON. 

" Soon after the occupation of the new Court House, 1861, the Jail of 1851 was not 
deemed sufficient for the demands of the county. And, no doubt, its distance from the 
new Court House made it inconvenient to transfer prisoners from their cells to the scene 
of trial in Court, and this added to the reasons why a new Jail should be built. It was, 
quite likely, well understood that the Jail would soon follow the Court House ; and ground 
sufficient for the former was secured when the ground for the latter was purchased. 
The land was all purchased from Hon. D. D. Wagoner for one dollar. At the November 
session, in 1866, the Grand Inquest — of which Samuel Garis was foreman — represented to 
the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Northampton county, that 
they found the present Jail unsuitable and in bad condition; that the Sheriff" was obliged to 
confine vagrants in the lower part of the Jail, which was a great nuisance; that, they 
recommended the building of a new Jail, to accommodate the wants of the county, and 
to emplo)- the prisoners ; they regretted that the prisoners sentenced by the Court for the 
violation of the Sunday liquor law were only nominally confined ; and that, while 
close confinement could not be expecfted on account of narrow limits, they condemned 
the laxity with which the sentences were executed. At present, they represented, 
with almost full liberty, except openly walking the streets, the fulfilment of their 
sentence as a farce. The triumphal entry of some of the prisoners on the evening of their 
commitment, with music and banners, after a boisterous parade of our principal streets, 
was an open insult to the Court and community ; and we would ask the animadversions 
of the Court upon this lawless and disgraceful proceeding. We have also noticed the 
aforesaid prisoners being supplied with lager beer, and allowed its free use ; hold nightly 
carousals in the Jail, and thus pra<5lically rendered their sentence a mere nullity, turning 
their punishment into a triumph, and insulting the law which would inflitl it." 

" The a<5lion of the Grand Juries and of the Court having clothed the Commissioners, 
Messrs. Charles Kern, Simon Buss and Jesse Ruch, with necessary powers, they proceeded 
to the eredlion of a new prison upon the county's land adjoining the Court House. 
Edward Haviland was employed as architedl. His plans were at once submitted to the 
deputy inspector, and received his signature of approval March 11, 1868. The Commis- 
sioners then contratled with John P.igliu, of South Eastou, and John Lee, of Easton. as 



30 



THE HISTORY OF 




THE NEW CorXTV I'RISOX. EKKCTKI) l86!S-'7I. 

the firm of Biglin & Lee, for the constniclion of the prison, the contra(ft price being 
$139,000. The job was a heavy and extensive one, and, although it was pushed by the 
contradlors with reasonable diligence, it was not till 187 1 that the Jail was occupied. 
Although the contrail price was as has been stated above, the total cost of the prison has 
not fallen much — if any — short of $200,000. The size of the prison building is 180x60 
feet, and the wall enclosure is 220x150 feet. The Warden's department is 50x85 feet in 
dimension, embracing, on the first floor, parlor, dining-room, kitchen, office, store-rooms 
and wash-rooms."* 

The building is a massive stone stru6lure, upon an elevated position, and has more 
the appearance of a castle of the middle ages than of a prison. The grounds are ample, 
and neatly kept, set with shade trees, and together with the grounds around the Court 
House, present a very handsome appearance, a rare and beautiful pic?lure. To look at the 
exterior there seems nothing to dread. To those who enter the prison, the interior seems 
quite as neat as the exterior. The cells and prisoners are kept clean and neat. The walls 
are hung with pictures, the beds are as neatly and tastefully arranged as tho.se of ordinary 
homes. The prisoners are employed in weaving carpets, and the time is passed as 
plea.santly as the most earnest humanitarian could desire. Religious services are quite 
regularh- held on Sunday by the ministers and members of our churches. Law seems to 
have laid aside its vengeance, while mercy and benevolence exert their influence to reform 

* Hist, of Northampton Co., pp. 161-162. 



EASTOA\ PENN'A. 



31 



the inmates while they serve out their sentence, and vindicate the principles of justice. 
If the prisons of past ages had been kept as ours of Easton is, the benevolence of Howard 
would not have been developed, nor his name have shone with such undimmed lustre. 
There has been but one public execution in the Jail since its eredlion — that of John 
Dillman, in x\pril, 1884, for the murder of his wife. He did not support her and .she 
went to the Poor House. He desired to get rid of his wife. His plans are deliberate!}' 
formed. He assumed the kindness of former da)s, and bought a new dress at Bethlehem 
for her. Sought and found her at the Poor House, gave her the dress, and spoke kindly 
to her ; told her he had work at Bethlehem, had furniture at Redington, and wished her 
to go and help him arrange the furniture. Before leaving the Poor House, he was seen- 
outside sharpening his pocket knife on the stones and his boots. In the cold winds of 
the closing days of March, at 7 o'clock in the morning, they started upon the journey. 
He seemed in good spirits, treated his wife well ; he covered the feelings of the murderer 
by the smiles of apparent kindness. Turning toward Freemansburg, pretending it was a 
nearer way, and turning into a lonely lane, near a Mr. Rohn's house, he threw her to the 
ground, took a rope, tied her hands, and told her he was going to kill her, took his knife, 
which he had sharpened at the Poor House, cut her throat and ran. The wind-pipe was 
severed. Mrs. Dillman lived nearly three weeks, and before her death testified in 
substance as above. Rev. T. O. Stem, pastor of St. Mark's Reformed Church, was the 
spiritual adviser of Dillman, and did everjthing he could to smooth the poor man's 
pathway to the gallows, to death, and to heaven. 

Another was sentenced to be executed during the same year, but he hung himself in 
the prison with carpet yam. He was an Italian who had slain a fellow workman, by 
plunging a hatchet into his temple while his victim was asleep. He was tried, convicted 
and sentenced to be executed. To avert the doom of a public execution, he committed 
suicide. Thousands of miles from the home of his childhood, there were no friends to 
claim his body or mourn his sad fate. Unable to understand the words of kindness 
spoken by those who greeted him through the iron grates, he waited with terror his 
terrible doom. The rope which he had twisted from carpet yarn, seems to have broken, 
biit had fastened itself so closely around his neck as to have choked him to death. He 
was found Iving dead in his cell. 



LOUIS GORDON. 

There is a special interest attached to the name and chara(5ler of Louis Gordon. He 
was for so long a time a citizen of Easton, so prominent in her history, so sincerely inter- 
ested in her welfare — performing his duties so acceptably in ever\- official position — that 
it would be doing violence to history not to give him his proper place. While we lament 
the weakness which clouded his closing da^s, he had virtues which shine brightly in con- 
trast. The bitter experiences which shook his political faith have long since passed away; 
the light of freedom dawned after he died, and while basking in its brilliant rays, and 
enjoying its blessings, charity may well draw a veil over his fault, and speak kindly of his 



32 THE }I1 STORY OF 

faithfulness up to the hour of trial. He was for twenty-six years a friend of Easton, and 
his warm desire for her prosperity never left him. He was the pioneer of the legal profes- 
sion in Northampton county. He was a member of the Bucks county bar when North- 
ampton was established. He was at the time employed in the office of Richard Peters, of 
Philadelphia. Richard Peters was Secretary for the Penns, and Gordon would thus know 
the plans of the Proprietaries in regard to Easton. He learned it was to be the place for 
the county seat. The Courts would meet there, and there would be an opening for a law- 
yer. The first Court convened June i6th, 1752, and Louis Gordon was there, stated that 
he was an attorney of the bar in Bucks county, and prayed to be admitted to the bar of 
Northampton. His prayer was granted, and Louis Gordon became the first lawyer in 
Easton and for the new county. His faith must have helped him in looking into the 
future of the town, for the prospedl was not very cheering. Mr. Parsons tells us there 
were but eleven houses in Easton at that time, and the historian of Bucks county tells us 
the\' were all one-story log houses. And Mr. Parsons seems to have entertained fears as 
to whether these families would remain longer than Spring. 

Louis Gordon came to this country from Aberdeen, Scotland, and in 1750 was em- 
ployed in the office of Richard Peters, of Philadelphia. How long he was in this coun- 
tr>' before he was employed by Mr. Peters, this historian does not tell us. When he was 
married, or to whom, is not revealed. The son (James) of George Taylor married his 
daughter Elizabeth. Young Taylor was a lawyer, died young, leaving a widow and five 
children. The family moved to South Carolina, where their descendants still reside. 
Louis Gordon spent the remainder of his life in Easton. That he was a public-spirited 
man is evident from the fadl that his name was on the subscription for building a 
school house, in the Summer of 1755, for the village. We find he subscribed £-^. Mr. 
Parsons took the lead in this, as in all other matters of public interest, but Mr. Gordon 
gave his influence in favor of every good work suggested by his friend. This was recog- 
nized by the Proprietaries, as well as by the public, for when Mr. Parsons died, Louis Gor- 
don took his place in the affairs of the town as well as in the Courts. He became Pro- 
thonotary and Clerk of the Court, and took the business of the Proprietors on his shoul- 
ders. This fadl is illustrated in the serious difficulty which occurred after the French 
and Indian war. News came to the Government at Philadelphia that people from Cou- 
nedlicut were settling the lands west of the Delaware, and above the Minisinks, without 
authority from the Indians or white people. 

The Indians had become uneasy, and Teedyuscung had uttered a bitter complaint, de- 
manded redress, and, in case of failure, threatened to take up the hatchet. The Govern- 
ment determined to ascertain the truth of the report, and Richard Peters, the Secretary of 
the Proprietary Government, wrote to Louis Gordon about the difficulty, and wished him 
to take two Justices of the Peace and have them go with him to the alleged settlement 
and ascertain the exadl state of affairs. This was in 1760. Immediately the Chief Justice 
wrote to Louis Gordon: " You will receive my warrant to arrest and bring before me a 
number of persons who have unlawfulh' entered upon and taken possession of a large 
tra6l of land in your county, near Cushitunk, without any warrant or order from the Pro- 
prietors. I e.xpeCl, as soon as this gets into your hands, you will engage twenty or twenty- 
five resolute and discreet persons to aid and assist you, and proceed with all possible secrecy 
and dispatch to the habitation of the offenders, and use vour best endeavors to apprehend 



E ASTON, PEXN'A. 33 

as many persons mentioned in the warrant as 30U can find, and bring them to me without 
loss of time, that the)' may be dealt with as the law directs." 

Mr. Gordon desired to go in the disguise of farmers in quest of lands, so that the obje(5l 
of their coming might be concealed till the\- had acquired all the information they needed, 
and then letting their true characiler be known, make their arrests. The plan of Gordon 
was adopted, and he took two Justices, one of whom was Aaron Depue, and also the Sher- 
iff of Northampton, and went to the settlement in quest of the intruders. Their report, on 
their return, is found in the ' ' Colonial Records, ' ' vol. 8, page 564. 

The people of Connecfticut contended that their charter embraced the lands upon 
which they had settled. The settlers claimed their rights also, from purchase from the 
Indians and authority from the Colonial Government of Connecflicnt. The intruders had 
built a saw-mill and grist-mill and many cabins, and were coming in the Spring in great 
numbers. It turned out to be a matter which a Sheriff's posse could not settle, but 
required a stronger arm. Parsons died in the midst of the war, and Gordon stepped upon 
the watch-tower in his place. He watches the dangers as they rise, and transmits the 
news to Philadelphia, and aids the people in warding off the blows. Easton found a true 
friend in Louis Gordon, and the Government a faithful servant. He had been a citizen of 
Easton for twenty-six years, and during that time his interest in the welfare of his home 
had never flagged. But at length a cloud arose, at first no larger than a man's hand, but 
it rapidly grew in size, and as it overshadowed the land, and in the midnight of the Revo- 
lution, he faltered in his patriotic course. This period of Louis Gordon's life has not been 
properly understood. On page 151 of the "History of Northampton County" we find the 
following: "In those dark times there were some instances of defecation to the patriot cause 
by men from whom better things were expe6led. Among the saddest of these was that 
of Louis Gordon. He had entered the struggle, apparently with the most ardent love of 
countr)', but when the clouds closed thickly over the prospedls of the patriots in 1777, he 
abandoned their cause and embraced that of the enemy. It was a fall like Lucifer. Steps 
were at once taken for his apprehension, but before the warrant could reach him, God, in 
his infinite pity, had snatched him from his earthly dishonor by a summons to a higher 
tribunal." And in a note he tells us: "He died at Easton, in 1777." This would all be 
very sad, if true, but if the writer had been more careful in his examination of history, he 
would not have left quite so dark a stain upon the life of this pioneer of the legal profes- 
sion in our borough and county. 

When General Washington fled across the Delaware, thousands of patriotic men 
stood shivering on the brink of the precipice from which Louis Gordon was reported to 
have taken his fatal leap. The original records of the Committee of Safety begin Decem- 
ber 2ist, 1774. The committee was elected by qualified voters, and the name of Louis 
Gordon stands first on the list. This committee represented the various townships in the 
county. But to expedite the work, a standing committee was selecfted from the general 
committee, which should meet weekly to perfonn the business for which they were called 
into being. Louis Gordon was chainnan of this standing committee. Scarcely a meeting 
occurs for two years at which Mr. Gordon was not present. Ever)- member of the com- 
mittee looked to him to advise and to lead in the important matters coming before them. 
There are no indications of anything wrong till the 2d of December, 1776, when we find 
the following minute in the proceedings of the standing committee: "It being represented 



34 



THE HISTORY OF 



to the committee, by Abraham Berlin and Jesse Jones, that Lonis Gordon, chairman of 
the committee, said to them he would not give his attendance here any more; therefore 
the committee do appoint Abraham Berlin chairman in his stead." Mr. Gordon had been 
Treasurer; Robert Trail was appointed to this place. At a meeting of the committee 
Januar\' i6th, 1777, "ordered that Louis Gordon, Esq., have notice to attend this commit- 
tee by next Thursday, to answer such matters as shall be objected against him by this 
committee." On January 23d, "Mr. Berlin acquainted the committee that he had given 
Mr. Gordon notice to attend this meeting according to the order of last meeting, and he 
received for answer that he would not attend, that the committee might call upon him; 
therefore ordered that notice be sent to Mr. Gordon to attend this committee immediately, 
otherwise send his reason in writing for not attending. Notice having been sent by Mr. 
Shoemaker, he returned for answer that his low and weak condition would not pennit 
him to attend." "Therefore, ordered it be postponed to the next meeting." But the 
name of Mr. Gordon does not appear again in the records of the committee. The last 
meeting whose proceedings are recorded, occurs August 14th, 1777. 

We must go to other sources to trace out the further history of this remarkable man. 
Now, turning to the "Colonial Records," vol. XI, page 73, we find the following in the 
proceedings of the Council of Safety in Philadelphia: "Resolved, that the committee of 
Northampton do immediately take the ferry at Easton, kept by Louis Gordon, under their 
direcftion, and cause it to be properly attended, and especially that all soldiers and 
expresses in the Continental service be forwarded over said ferry, be soleh- under the con- 
trol and dire<flion of the said committee of Northampton county." This bears date of 
January 2d, 1777. On page 261 of the same volume, under date of August 6th, 1777, we 
find the following: "Ordered that a writ be issued for imprisoning Louis Gordon, Esq., 
late Prothonotary of the County of Northampton, under the late Government." In the 
fifth volume of the "Archives of Pennsylvania," page 489, imder date of Atigust 6th, 
1777: "From the Executive Council at Philadelphia to the Sheriff of Northampton county 
— Sir: Before this reaches you, you have doubtless heard that the late Governor, his offi- 
cers, and the officers of the King of Great Britain, have been arrested and are held as pris- 
oners of war on parole. It is but equal that this should extend to all parts of the country. 
Accordingly, we send you a form filled up for the late Prothonotary, Louis Gordon, Esq. 
This we desire you to get executed and return to us by a safe hand. Your attention to 
this business is requested. Directed to the Sheriff of Northampton county, John Jennings, 
Esq." On page 490, date same as above, same to John Jennings, Esq., to arrest Louis 
Gordon, Esq., and "confine him to his dwelling in Easton (or elsewhere in your county), 
confining himself to the distance of six miles from thence, and not passing over to the 
east side of the Delaware." 

On page 342, sixth vol. "Archives," Mr. Levers writes, March 7th, 1778: "Louis 
Gordon, I am persuaded, is a fixed, determined enemy of the American States. But, then, 
he is wearing away, lately lost his wife, and peevish at times to childishness. I sincerely 
pity him." On page 436 an oflP.cer of the Council writes to Mr. Levers: " I inclose you 
also the parole of Louis Gordon, and desire you to discharge him as direcftcd in the case of 
Mr. Hamilton. Dated April 24th, 1778." On page 534, Mr. Levers writes, date May 
20th, 1778: "Louis Gordon and son are discharged from their parole; the former, a few 
days ago, took the test oath, according to law." Here we see an old man, out of oflSce 



£.-iSrOX PEXWA. 



35 



which he had held for nearly a quarter of a centur}', out of health, just buried his wife, 
entering the dark shadows of the evening of life, the gloomy hours which followed the 
battle of Brooklyn, Washington flying through New Jersey, with a triumphant foe in hot 
pursuit, whose relentless grasp he barely escapes by crossing the Delaware; all these things 
weighed upon his soul, and as the dying man clings tenaciously to the religious teachings 
of his childhood, so Louis Gordon found relief to his troubled soul in reclining beneath 
the folds of that glorious banner which had shielded him in childhood. But the battle of 
Saratoga had eledlrified the souls of the patriots; France had formed an offensive and 
defensive alliance ; Lafayette had arrived, light came struggling through the darkness. 
This feeble old man comes to himself, renews his fealty to his adopted country, takes the 
" test oath " of allegiance to the Government of the struggling republic, and dies a mem- 
ber of the fraternit>- of freemen. This is simple justice to the memory of Louis Gordon. 
Historia confirmat, et justicia jussit. When, how or where Louis (jordon died, the 
writer and others have failed to ascertain. As far as can be learned, no gravestone marks 
the place of his burial. Alas! what is fame? A little over a hundred years have passed 
since he died, and the hour of his death, not even his grave, can be found. Sic transit 
gloria hominis. "And no man knoweth his grave unto this da}." 




-' -^f^ 



VIEW OF NORTH THIRD STREET BrSHKII.I. HRH)CE IN iS^O 
THE I.ITTI.E HOrSE IS STII.L ST.\NDINC.. 



THE DURHAM BOATS. 



When and by Whom Built, and Where, and How ; The Great Means of Commercial Intercourse Between 
Philadelphia and Upper Waters of the Delaware ; Saved Washington's Army ; Helped Fight the Battles 
of Trenton and Princeton ; Carried Whiskey and Flour to Philadelphia from Minisinks and from Easton — 
'Squire Abie's Boats ; Helped Gather the Boats for Lee's Army ; Supplanted by Steam. 




HI*^ Durham Boats played so important a part in the early history of Easton, 
and in the Revolntionar\' War, that a history of Easton wonld be incomplete 
without an account of this craft. In the early histor>' of Northampton county 
.there were no roads by which produce could be transported to Philadelphia, 
the head of the market. The heavy forests at the head-waters of the Dela- 
ware and Lehigh shielded the heavy bodies of snow from vernal suns, so 
that, instead of a sudden thaw and a freshet, the snow wasted away slowly 
and the rivers were supplied with a goodly amount of water late in the sea- 
son, and for nearly all Summer the Delaware was navigable to the lands above 
the Water Gap, and the Lehigh to the Lehigh Gap. The only difficulty was 
to have properly constrttcted boats, and a large business could be done. The 
Durhams were in the country as early as 1723, and on the 12th of June of 
that year E. N. Durham was one of the viewers of a road from Green Swamp, Bristol 
township, to the Borough of Bristol. Durham Furnace, ten miles below Easton, was 
built about 1727, and needed some means by which the iron could be sent to Philadelphia. 
And, as "necessity is the mother of invention," so we have an account of the birthplace 
of these boats. "On the authority of Abraham Houpt, we learn the first Durham boat 
was built near Durham, on the bank of the Delaware, near the mouth of the cave, by one 
Robert Durham, the manager and engineer of the Furnace, and tliat the boat was made 
nearh- in the shape of an Indian canoe, and the works were possibly named after the 
builder of the boat. This was before 1750. As early as 1758 Durham boats were used to 
transport flour from John Vankampen's mill, at Minisink, to Philadelphia."* 

In conversation with the venerable Michael Butz, who was quite familiar with them 
in his early manhood, he said they were shaped like an Indian's canoe, and had a wide 
board extending the whole length of the boat on each side, on which men walked in pro- 
pelling the boat up from Philadelphia, using long poles for that purpose. These boats 
would carry 125 or 150 barrels of flour at a load, and float down with the tide, but it was 
hard work in poleing them back against the current. The Kichlines and Wagoners 
built mills on the Bushkill in 1763, 1780 and 1792, and found the Durham boats a ready 
means of transporting their flour to market. In 1783 old 'Squire Abel (Jacob Abel) kept 
a hotel, and was the first in Easton to own Durham boats and take part in the traffic. The 
point of shipment was at the dock just below and above the Delaware bridge. 

Robert Durham had a very small idea of the work he was doing when he built the 
first Durham boat. They became not only the means of commercial intercourse between 

* Hist. Bucks County, page 646. 



EASTOK PENN'A. 



37 



Philadelphia and the upper waters of the Delaware, but they saved Washington's army 
and thereby gained freedom for mankind. When Washington had fought the battle of 
Brooklyn, and other disasters soon followed, he saw there was no safety for his disheart- 
ened forces but in a rapid retreat through New Jersey, across the Delaware into Pennsyl- 
vania. Fabius saved his army and his country by retreating, and Washington had read his 
histor}-. It is in misfortunes, when the soul is overwhelmed, when dark clouds settle over 
one's pathway, that real manhood is developed. This was the critical moment of the Revo- 
lution. The English Generals thought the war was over, and Cornwallis was on the point 
of starting for Europe. * 

General Washington began the battle of Brooklyn with an army of twenty thousand; 
when he arrived at Trenton he had about three thousand. They were poorly clad and 
poorly fed. He had sent to Congress an account of his defeat and his intention to retreat 
across the Delaware, and an order to have the boats on the Delaware collected on the 
west side, so that he could cross without delay. 

About the same time Washington had sent Colonel Humpton to coiled all the boats 
along the Delaware and other craft. Jacob Abel (old 'Squire Abel) was called upon to help 
colledl the boats to convey the patriots across the river. This we have from Elisha Allis, 




TIIlv DURIIAJI BOAT. 



Esq., who received it from a member of the family. These strange vessels, built by the 
hands of Providence, stood ready when Washington came to the Delaware, and the army 
of freedom stepped into them and were soon across the pleasant waters, and they never 
seemed so pleasant as when Washington and his suffering army were safely landed on Sun- 
day morning, December 8th, on the Pennsylvania shore, and at eleven o'clock the same 
morning saw the British forces marching down on the opposite bank. The hostile armies 
now lay facing each other across the Delaware, and the cause of independence was safe. 
Lee had been ordered to join Washington's army, and General Ewing was ordered to send 
Durham boats to McKonkey's, and General Maxwell was ordered to seize all the boats not 
needed and put them under strong guard, and those he could not guard should be de- 
stro>-ed. The enemy waited for the river to freeze over and give them a passage across, 
but the river would not freeze. The English at length retired and left a body of troops 
at Trenton. The Legislature of New Jersey had crossed the Delaware with Washington, 
Congress had gone to Baltimore ; all was consternation and alarm. Here is where Wash- 
ington showed the grandeur of his nature. He had retreated through New Jersey with a 
powerful and triumphant army in hot pursuit; but, while others trembled, he was calm, 
unmoved by disaster. Whatever griefs he had were kept from the public. Ever\thing 
depended upon him. At what time he first conceived the plan of recrossing the Delaware 

*Jared Sparks, in his "Life of Washington," says : "When the news reached New York, Cornwallis, on the 
point of starting for Europe, was ordered to take command in the Jerseys." 



38 THE HISTORY OF 

and attackinsT the Hessians is not known ; it was never divulged. But the plan rivr.? 
formed. Two thousand four hundred men were prepared to recross the Delaware. 

Bancroft savs Washington wrote the watchword for his army, which was " Vi<flor\' or 
Death," on the 23d of December. He wrote Colonel Reed about the time: "Christmas 
day, at night, one hour before day, is the time fixed upon for our attack on Trenton." 
Six days before, the first number of Paine's "American Crisis" was read to every regiment 
in the army, which greatly aroused the spirit of the troops. And whoever will read 
this number of the "Crisis" will feel that the watchword, " Vi(?tory or Death," was in per- 
fedl sympathy with the army. This enabled the soldiers to march, leaving their bloody 
tracks upon the ground. The day came at last — the Durham boats were waiting, ready 
to take their precious freight across through sleet and ice. Now occurs one of the strange 
incidents of the war. A Tory had found out that an attack was to be made that night on 
Trenton. He wrote a letter and hurried to Trenton, handed it to Colonel Rahl, who put 
the letter in his pocket unopened. This decided his fate, this made vicftory easy ; this 
letter, unsealed, was found in his pocket when he lay dead after the battle. He was busy 
preparing for a Christmas party in the evening; he could read the letter in the morning. 
That putting the letter unread in his pocket settled the fate of the British Empire in 
America, enabled Washington to snatch vidlory from defeat, and drive away the dark 
clouds which had hung in such deep darkness over the land. It was a dark, stormy night ; 
the river was filled with ice, but those were men of stout hearts and iron nerves. The very 
storm seemed to come as a friend to remove all apprehension of an attack. After cross- 
ing, the army marched in perfect silence. At early morn the roar of battle was heard ; 
the fight was brief, the vi6lory complete. More than a thousand prisoners, a thousand 
stand of arms, a number of cannon, were the fruits of the victory. No mighty ship ever 
carried a prouder freight across the sea than these Durham boats that 26th of December, 
1776, carried across the sparkling waters of the friendly river. There was no time to be 
lost. He had caught his game, and he must take it to a place of safety. The forces were 
small engaged in this battle, but it was one of the most important battles in the military- 
histor}- of the world. Many unused to weep shed tears of joy. If Washington can do 
such wonders, he can do anything, thought many people. There were dark days after 
the famous retreat through New Jersey and more famous battle of Trenton, but none so 
dark. The name of Washington was on every lip. The British Generals could not with- 
hold their praise, and Frederick the Great sent him a beautiful sword with this inscription: 
"From the oldest to the youngest General in the world." 

These grand old boats had done a good work, but they had one more errand on hand. 
When the army had become sufficiently refreshed, these homely vessels were again called 
upon to convey the intrepid commander across the Delaware, and took position at Trenton. 
He soon heard Cornwallis was on his way to meet him. He took position across the 
Assinpink Creek, placed his artillery so as to rake the bridge, and built his camp-fires for 
the night. The army of Cornwallis was in overwhelming numbers, and Washington saw 
the odds were too seriously against him, and a battle next day would be disastrous ; some 
plan must be adopted to avoid the danger. In the early part of the night the mud was so 
deep that it was thought impossible to draw the artillery and heavy baggage, if he should 
retreat, but toward midnight the wind changed, became cold, the ground froze, and all 
might mo\-e easily. Washington knew there were troops which the English had ordered 



EASTOX, PENN'A. 39 

to Princeton, ten miles distant. He gave orders to have the camp-fires kept brightly bnrn- 
ing, and the guards were to remain at the bridge and fords till near daylight, while the 
army qnietly left, and at sunrise was at Princeton. A severe engagement took place ; 
Washington was in the thickest of the fight, encouraging his soldiers. The battle was 
won. About three hundred Britons were made prisoners and one hundred killed. Some 
valuable lives were lost by the Americans. After this battle, Washington retired to IMor- 
ristown. Cornwallis looked across the creek early in the morning. He saw the smould- 
ering camp-fires, but not a soldier was to be seen ; but when he heard the roar of battle at 
Princeton, he knew the bird had flown. 

The Durham boats have never had credit for the important part they took in this dark 
hour of the world's progress. But they did their work quite as well as the British fleet at 
Trafalgar or Copenhagen, or that of Perry on Lake Erie. They helped Freedom along in 
the mighty struggle. These boats had their day ; they have passed away. They would 
be no more thought of now than an old-fashioned spinning-wheel, but they were a power 
in their time. When reading this part of our history, we can but think of the beautiful 
lines of Watts : 

"God moves iu a mysterious way, 

His wonders to perform ; 
He plants his footsteps on the sea, 

And rides upon the storm. 

"Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take. 

The clouds ye so much dread. 

Are big with mercy, and shall break 

With blessings on your head." 

After the Revolutionar}- war was closed, the Durham boats became of more impor- 
tance than ever in carrying the products of the farmers of Warren and Sussex counties, 
N. J., and, of what is now Monroe, Pike, Luzerne and Northampton, to Philadelphia. 
And this trafllic was carried on by this homely craft for fifty years after the Lidependence 
of the United was settled by the treaty of Paris. There were two rocks in the Lehigh, 
near Easton, called the forty and sixty barrel rocks. The signification of these names 
was, that when the forty barrel rock was covered by water, a Durham boat would carry 
forty barrels of whiskey to Philadelphia, and so, when the sixty barrel rock was covered 
a boat would carry sixty barrels of whiskey. 

There is an incident in the history of Easton in which these boats played a more a6live 
part. For some time it was understood that La Fayette would visit the land and grave of 
Washington. The long expedled visit took place in 1824. This noble friend of our 
country was received in New York in August, and arrangements were soon made by which 
he was to visit the principal cities of the Republic. The enthusiasm knew no bounds. 
The roar of cannon could be heard on all sides welcoming this friend of Washington to 
our land. Easton was alive with patriotic emotion. It was arranged to receive the illus- 
trious visitor in Philadelphia. There was a paper published at that time in Easton by 
George W. Deshler, called the Spirit of Pennsylvania. From the files of this paper we 
learn the part Easton took in doing honor to the noble Frenchman. In the issue of Sep- 
tember 3rd, we have the following general orders: "The Volunteers of the Borough of 
Easton will hold themselves in readiness to march to Philadelphia, in honor of General 



E ASTON, PEXN'A. 41 

La Fayette, provided with two days provisions — arms and other eqnipments in the best 
possible condition. Knap-sacks are not to be procured, they are abandoned on account of 
expense. A wagon will be furnished to transport the baggage. The companies will be 
formed in the Centre Square, at 7 o'clock in the morning of the day they are to march, 
and will fonn a battalion under the command of the senior officer. Dr. John O. Wagener 
is appointed Surgeon to the Battalion, D. D. Wagener, Captain E. U. Guards, William 
L. Sebring, Captain Easton Artillerists, J. Weygandt, Jr., Captain Citizen Volunteers. 
Easton, August 30, 1824." 

The companies paraded on the Square on the nth of September. Such excitement 
had not been witnessed since the fall of Yorktown. Hours moved slowly. Days seemed 
prolonged, a week seemed a month. But the day came at length, the 22d of September. 
Easton volunteers, to the number of two hundred, were under anns at half-past seven, and 
at 8 o'clock were on the march for the "Point" at the foot of Ferry street. Durham boats 
were at the wharf to take their patriotic burden down the sparkling stream ; they had taken 
the prisoners and trophies of war from the vicftorious field of Trenton, forty-eight years 
before, and now they were to carry the freemen of Easton to honor the battle-scarred friend 
of Washington in the city of "brotherly love." The people of Easton were up "bright 
and early." The whole population was at the "great Square," watching the fonning 
lines, and listening to the strains of music as they broke upon the morning air, and echoed 
amid the surrounding hills. Our venerable friend, Michael Butz, was in the company, 
and his young wife was watching the scene with the most earnest feeling. They liad been 
married two years. It has been sixty-one years since that bright September morning, and 
both are hale and hearty still. The soldiers marched bri.skl\- to the "Point," stepped into 
the boats, the sailors drew in the hawsers, turned their vessels into current, and they went 
on their way down the beautiful river. The guns on Mount Jefferson bade them God 
speed on their patriotic journey. The .shores of New Jersey and Pennsylvania were 
covered by thousands, cheering and waving handkerchiefs, which salutations were returned 
by the hearty shouts of these citizen soldiers on their way to do honor to the great cham- 
pion of human freedom. It was a happy company in those Durham boats, floating along 
amid "the picturesque scener\% the alternate views of beautiful farms and farm-houses, 
the variegated landscapes, peeping as it were, through immense mountains of solid rock — 
the varied and fluctuating motions of the waters, now gentle, now smoothly flowing, and 
again foaming and billowing in sudden and rapid violence — the beautiful but irregular 
windings of the Delaware— were in themselves, sufficient recreations for the mind. But 
the sporting jest, the heartv laugh and innocent merriment, and soul-stirring music, all 
helped to make the da\- the happiest of their lives." 

The companies arrived at Trenton at night, all put up at one hotel. In the morning 
the boats were towed to the landing at Philadelphia by steamers. The journey had been 
safely made, and no commander of the great steamers which contend with the storming 
billows of the Atlantic, ever felt his importance more fully than the captains which 
piloted these river ships through the rocks and eddies of the Delaware from Easton to 
Trenton on this memorable September day. The author called upon Chief Burgess Law- 
rence Titus, and inquired of him if he was in the expedition to Philadelphia to meet La 
Fayette? "Oh yes, and we had a pleasant time in the Durham boats. But we had to 
walk back from the cit\- to Easton. We arrived at Do\-lestown at night, the first dav's 



42 THE HISTORY OF 

march, and were handsomely entertained free of expense to the company. For the want 
of a better place, I slept in jail."* Mr. Bntz said, "The large team which carried their 
baggage kept company with them in their tiresome walk to Easton, and they would take 
turns in riding, and in this way their toil was somewhat abated. ' ' If there were any classi- 
cal scholars in the company of weary toilers, who contrasted the ease with which they 
glided down the bright rolling river, with the tugging, sweating through the dust, a dis- 
tance of sixty-five miles, it is quite likely they many times recalled the lines of Virgil — 
"Facilis descensus Averno est; sed revocare gradum, — hoc opus, hie labor est." But they 
did retrace their steps and arrived safely at Easton at the close of the second day's march. 
They had seen La Fayette, and felt their toil was not for naught. 

These boats began their work on the upper waters of the Delaware. As already 
stated, the first ones were made before 1750. They carried on a large trade with the 
Dutch farmers at the Minisinks, above the Water Gap. We find the following in a work 
entitled "The Life of Major Moses Van Campen" (page 21): "It was the custom of the 
farmers who lived on the Delaware, above the Water Gap, to convey their wheat, which 
they raised in great abundance, down on the river to Philadelphia, to be sold there. For 
this purpose they used large boats, called Durham boats, which would carry ten or twelve 
tons apiece. Wheat was their staple, and they depended much on getting it safely into 
market." It is supposed the Holland Dutch came into the Minisinks as early as 1635, 
and had fine orchards, large farms, and large settlements, against which Teedyuscung 
hurled his vengeance in 1755. These hardy and industrious people were ready to seize 
the earliest instrumentality by which their produce could find a market. Long before the 
Revolutionary war, a depot and store-house was established at Easton, from which grain 
could be loaded on the Durham boats for the Philadelphia market. The first one built 
was located on the north side of the Delaware bridge, the foundation of which was close 
to that of the toll-house, and is still standing in a good state of preservation. This was a 
frame building, and was owned by Christian Butz, the father of the venerable Michael 
Butz, still living in Easton. In 1779, the army of General Sullivan passed through Easton 
to Wyoming to fight the Indians; met them, and severely whipped them; the scene of the 
action being on the ground now occupied by the city of Elmira. When the army 
returned, it stayed some time in Easton, and the Durham boat store-house was occupied 
by some of the troops. They were rough, lively fellows. Three of them were hung on 
gallows hill for shooting a landlord at Minisinks because he would not sell them rum 
when they were already drunk. On another occasion, they rode in nudity through the 
street to the rivers for bathing. Below the bridge stands a brick building, which, in a 
past age, served as a store-house for the Durham craft. The iron shutters are closed, and 
we can almost imagine the ghosts of the past holding high revel amid its gloomy silence. 
These two spots have been scenes of bustling activity and hard toil. Here, from the early 
history of the town, the Wageners, the Greens, the Abels, the busy, hard-working Ger- 
man farmers, have mingled in these busy scenes, and there is nothing left to remind us of 
these activities, but these silent, deserted walls. We walk on the foundation of the one, 
and gaze at the iron covered windows of the other, and think of the men who built them 
and gained subsistence for themselves and families there, and have passed away; and 
the gathering crowds assembling at the arriving and departing of these vessels are now 
forgotten. The crowds of people, English and German, old and young, young men and 



E ASTON. PENN\4. 



43 



maids of interest and excitement have gathered at these points and enjoyed the jokes and 
songs of these river-mariners, carefully guiding their heavily laden boats down the rip- 
pling current, while others, tugging with their setting polls, are urging the boats up the 
tide to the Minisinks, making the air vocal with their songs as they set their polls and 
walk the broad planks on each side of the vessel. These men, sweating, toiling in these 
boats on the Delaware, were happy in their toil, and satisfied with the great improvements 
of the age. The Durham boats were good enough for them. The merchants and farmers 
met the demands of human life then, quite as easily as now. The wives and children 




■THIC POINT AS IT AHPEAKKl) MORK THAN HAI.K A CKXTURV AGO, 



were just as happy, when the husbands and fathers returned from their trips then, as the\- 
are now, flying toward home at the rate of fifty miles an hour. The mothers and children, 
hastening to the river's side to watch for father's boat returning up the beautiful stream, 
had the same thrills of delight when they saw the well known boat appearing around the 
bend of the river, and received the familiar signal of the man standing on the bow, as is 
now experienced by those waiting papa's train whirling toward the depot and see him leap 
to the platfonn. Long since these vessels urged their way up to the Minisinks, the voices 
of the sturdy boatman echoing amid these mountain crags, steam has been applied to the 
purposes of commerce bv land and sea; the lightning has been put in harness, compelled 
to obey our mandates, and bring the morning news from tlie capitals of the world to read 



44 THE HISTORY OF 

after our evening meal. By telephone we can now talk with a friend, though hundreds of 
miles away, as if he were sitting by our side. We have now coaxed the lightning to light 
our streets and dwellings, and before coal is exhausted will warm our homes amid the 
blasts of winter, and cook our meals by a Dynamo in ever}' home. And yet there was as 
pure, as much happiness, in those olden times as now. Then to those old boats, "Vale, 
vale, dicimus." "In memoria dulcLssima quiescant. " 

Here and there a Durham boat flits along the river, amid the scenes of former excite- 
ment and interest, like a ghost silently and sadly wandering among the recollecftions of 
the past, under the shadowy crags of the classic river, while the hoarse voice of the driver 
urges his mules along the tow-path, or the locomotive thunders along with its mighty 
burden shaking the solid hills in its course. How marvelous the changes of fifty years ! 
"Tempus omnia mutat. " 



A NEW RACE COMING TO THE FRONT. 

No thoughtful man can watch the ti-de of immigration of the varied nationalities of 
Europe into our country, and obser\'e the ease with which they settle down and become 
harmonious parts of our national life, without wondering at the strange power of our 
institutions, by which these people of widely different religious and political prejudices 
are so soon changed into patriotic American citizens, so ready, if necessary, to die for the 
land of their adoption, and the government which they had learned to love before they 
came to our shores. We are reminded of this in reading the early history of Easton. 
Here we have the Scotch, English, Irish, Dutch, French and German meeting in the 
"Forks of the Delaware," forgetting the associations of the old, as they mingle amid the 
busy scenes of the new world. The old race distinctions pass away. The names French, 
German, Scotch, Irish and Dutch are lost in the prouder name American. A new race 
has come into life in this new world, unlike any one which has gone before. And if the 
Danish, Saxon and Norman blood, mingling with the Celtic stock, has produced the 
English people, upon whose dominions the sun never .sets, if the mingling of the blood of 
these four generations produce a Wellington, what kind of a nation are we to have in the 
new world, where the blood of the various nationalities of Europe are mingling in the 
hot contest for wealth, happiness and political preferment ? Our territory is as large as all 
Europe, washed by two great oceans, traversed by lofty mountain ranges, and watered by 
the greatest rivers of the globe, and is to be the theatre for the development of the great 
race of the future. The wildest imagination can hardly conceive the glor\' and grandeur 
of this new race of Americans. Easton was settled by representatives from six nations of 
Europe, but all these distini6lons have long since passed away, and the people of to-day 
are proud to be called Americans. This new race has no titled rulers, no crowns nor 
thrones, and onh- confer titles upon those whom nature has made worthy to bear them. 



THE INDIAN TREATIES 



"Lo, the poor Indian ! whose untutored mind 
Sees God in clouds, or hears liim in the wind ; 
Yet simple nature to his hope has given 
Behind the cloud-topp'd hill an humbler heaven ; 
Where slaves once more their native land behold, 
No fiends torment, no Christians thirst for gold."— 



"THE WALKING PURCHASE.' 




EFORE entering- upon the history of the Indian Treaties, it will be necessary 
to notice briefly the nature of the "Walking Purchase" of 1737. It was the 
alleged unfairness of this purchase that called these treaty making powers 
together. My authority for the fadts here brought to view, is the ver>' 
valuable history of Bucks county, and also the Colonial Records and Archives 
of Pennsylvania. "No e\ent in the early histor},' of the country gave so 
much dissatisfadliou to the Indians, or led to as severe criticism of the Penns, 
as the 'walking purchase.' " This famous treat}- was based upon a treaty 
said to have been made between the Proprietaries and the Indians in 1686, 
although such treaty has never been found, and many doubt whether any 
such treaty ever existed. Btit the whites claimed that there was a treaty 
which gave them a right to settle upon the lands in question, the Indians became uneasy, 
and demanded a settlement, by having proper boundaries. To arrange these boundaries, 
a council, or treaty, was called at Durham in 1734, which was continued at Pennsbury in 
May, 1735, and was conchided August 25, 1737, at Philadelphia. At these treaties, the 
limits fixed by the treat}- of 16S6 were confirmed, and "it was agreed that the botin- 
dary should be determined by walking a day and a half in a northwest direction from 
a point in the head line of the purchase of 1682." While these negotiations were in 
progress between the Proprietaries and the Indians, the former arranged for a preliminary 
walk to be performed by expert walkers, to ascertain how far a "day and a half walk" 
would extend into the country-. The author of Bucks County History remarks : "As the 
Penns caused this walk to be made without the knowledge of the Indians, our readers are 
able to judge of the morality of this act." In the work above alluded to, there is an 
admirable map of the walk. Three expert walkers had been obtained, Edward Marshall, 
James Yeates and Solomon Jennings. It was agreed that the Indians should send several 
of their young men to see fair play. Men on horseback were employed to accompany the 
walkers and carr}' the food for them. The trees had been "blazed" in the preliminary 
walk, so that there need be no time lost in hunting paths. "The place of starting was fixed 
at a large chestnut tree, where the road from Pennsville meets the Durham road, near the 
Wrightstown meeting-house." The day fixed was the 19th of September, when a geo- 
graphical line was to be established, which was destined to make quite as much noise as 
that of ^lason and Dixon. The appointed day came, the sun was just crossing the 



46 THE HISTORY OF 

Equator, and would be up promptly at six o'clock. The famous walkers were at their 
post, their hands upon the old chestnut tree. Sheriff Smith was on hand, mounted ready 
for the start. The \oung Indians and many curious people were watching the scene. All 
were waiting for the first rays of the rising sun to dart their golden beams athwart the 
landscape. The stin rose in splendor, and this strange drama in histor\- had begun. 
"Bets were made on the speed of the walkers." " Yeates led the way with a light step," 
not far behind came Jennings and the two Indian walkers, and last, far behind, came 
Marshall, in a careless manner swinging a hatchet in his hand. He knew that he who 
starts slowest holds out longest, and he was the only one of the three who held out the 
day and a half. Jennings gave out before noon the first day, Yeates fell into a creek at 
the foot of the mountain on the morning of the second da>-, was blind when taken up and 
died in three days. At twelve o'clock, Mr. iVIarshall threw himself upon the ground 
exhausted and "grrasped a sapling which marked the limit of the walk." The walkers 
crossed the Lehigh at Jones' Island, a mile below Bethlehem, passed the Blue Mountain 
at Smith's gap in ^Moore township, Northampton county. It had been agreed that a line 
should be drawn to the Delaware. The Indians very naturally claimed that the line should 
reach the river at the nearest point, which would not have been very far from the point 
opposite Belvidere; while the proprietaries claimed the line should be drawn at right angles 
to the line of walk which struck the river near Lackawaxen, far above Port Jer\-is. A 
glance at the map will show the wide difference between the parties. The Indians were 
dissatisfied; they felt they had been "over-reached" in the treaty of 1737; they felt the 
conditions were "hard." And all of this is acknowledged by the writer who gives us so 
much pleasure to follow. But who made those conditions so hard ? Who performed this 
act of over-reaching? Who determined to exact the fulfilment of these conditions, and 
over-reaching to the letter ? The writer above alluded to generously tries to defend the 
whites, but his pen seemed to move heavily along the "ragged edge" of something more 
unpleasant than ' 'danger. ' ' The Indians smothered their wrath till Braddock fell, then they 
went on the war path. The smoke of burning buildings at Gnadenhutton, and through 
what is now Monroe county, the shrieks of innocent women and children and smoking 
scalps at the belt of Teedyuscung, made the whites willing to hold a parley with the red 
man, and hence the treaties at Easton. 



DAVID MARTIN'S TWO FERRIES. 

David ]\Iartin was thus the first to break in upon the solitudes and begin the work 
which was to make these hills and valle\s the scene of so much beauty and comfort. But 
if he had been seeking for a home only he would not have built upon a spot so unpromis- 
ing in appearance. He was, hoAvever, looking for a place of business. The people were 
unable to build bridges across large streams, and a ferr\- became a matter of great conven- 
ience, as well as a necessity. He had two ferries; one to accommodate those who wished 
to go to and from the Jerseys, and another across the Lehigh for those who wished to go 
toward Durham, Bristol or Philadelphia. \'ery few of the present generation visit this 
spot, who realize the scenes of excitement and importance that have transpired at this 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 47 

locality. Not a vestage remains to reinind ns of the dead past. Here have been scenes 
of reveln- and mirth, here have been scenes of diplomatic struggles, in which kings and 
potentates have engaged, upon the results of which depended the success of the great war, 
then casting its dark shadows over the land. It is the dvity of the historian to reproduce 
these scenes, and record them for the benefit of future generations. "In 1739, David 
Martin obtained a grant and patent for ferr}ing at the forks of the Delaware, his privileges 
extending about thirteen miles along the New Jersey side of the river, from the upper 
end of Tinicum Island to Marble Mountain, a mile above the mouth of the Lehigh." 
He had the exclusive right to ferr\' over horses, cows, sheep, and mules, etc. , etc. ' ' Con- 
cerning the old Ferry and the route of travel leading to and from it, some light is thrown 
by the account which IVIr. John Green (who was ferr^-man in 1792) gives of his inter\-iew 
with an old man who crossed it that year after an absence of half a centurA\ This old 
man told Mr. Green that when he had last crossed the ferr^- (in 1742 or 1743, in David 
Martin's time) it was in a canoe, and that he swam his horse along side ; that the site of 
Easton at that time was covered with woods and thick underbrush. And from thence to 
Bethlehem, which had just begun to be settled, the only route was over an Indian path." 
From this time the ' ' old ferrj* house ' ' becomes a point of the deepest interest. Easton 
began her history- with bitter wars following close upon its birth. England had planted 
colonies from Maine to Georgia, along the coast, while the French had planted colonies 
from the mouth of the St. Lawrence, at the great lakes on the Illinois river, and the Mis- 
sissippi to New Orleans. England claimed the continent from ocean to ocean. France 
intended to divide the continent and take the largest share. The war that gave Easton 
so much trouble was this war between England and France for the mastery- of the conti- 
nent. The immediate cause which led to the opening strife was an effort to obtain control 
of the valley of the Ohio. An Ohio company had been formed in \'irginia, and George II 
had granted them five hundred thousand acres of land located between the Kanawha and 
Monongahela. The French were on the watch and had built forts on the land thus given 
to the Virginians. In 1754, George Washington was ordered by Virginia to take a small 
army and proceed at once and take possession of the territory. "On May 26, he reached 
Great ^Meadows. Here Washington learned the French were advancing to attack him. 
He prepared for battle, found their hiding place." The French were on the alert, flew to 
arms. ' ' Fire !' ' was the command of Washington, and ' 'the first volley of a great war went 
whizzing through the air." Braddock's defeat followed in July 9th, 1755. The Indians 
that were hesitating took sides with France, and the bloody struggle was fairly underway. 
"The fall of Braddock was the signal for the Delaware Indians, whose affections had been 
alienated from the English ever since they saw them in league with the hated Iroquois 
(six nations) for the iniquitous purpose of dispossessing them of their lands." Allured by 
the representations of French emissaries, in which the prospe6l of recovering their national 
independence and the homes of their fathers was flatteringly held out to them, "they 
bitterly denounced the fraud of 1737, perpetrated to confinn a deedless purchase, meaning 
the 'walking purchase.' Wherever the whites dwelt within this territor\-, they resolved 
to strike with savage vengeance. And that the blow might be effectually dealt, each 
warrior-chief was charged to scalp, kill and burn within the precincls of his birthright, 
until the English should sue for peace, and promise redress."'* The Moravian settlement 
*Histor\- of Moravian Church, page 192. 



48 THE HISTORY OF 

in the valle\- of Mahoning, November 24th, was attacked, and the people murdered and 
scalped, as also Gnadenhutten (now Weisport) suffered the same fate. The news of this 
calamity fell like a thunderbolt on the infant settlement of Easton, and suddenly brought 
the noble heart and tender care of William Parsons into full play. He had hurried the 
completion of the jail that it might ser\'e as a castle into which the mothers might flee 
with their children. From this time till Mr. Parsons' health broke down, he manifested 
all the anxiety that a mother feels for her helpless babes. In this terrible crisis, something 
must be done to arrest the bloody work of the scalping knife and tomahawk. An effort 
was made to induce the Indians to meet at Easton, and treat for peace. But a special 
messeno-er must be sent to Wyoming and Diahoga. It was a dangerous work; who will 
cro? Years before, an Indian mother of the six nations had presented William Penn with 
one of her babes, as a token of her love for the great friend of the red man. History does 
not record an exhibition of stronger love for a dear friend than this mother exhibited for 
her benefactor. William Penn accepted the gift, carefully watched over his precious 
present. When the great founder of a great state had passed away, Governor Morris took 
the Indian under his care; and in August, 1755, conferred on him the title of New Castle, 
and in remembrance of the event addressed him in these words: "In token of our affec^lion 
for your parents, and in expec?lation of your being a ver\- useful man in these perilous 
times, I do, in a most solemn manner, adopt you by the name of New Castle, and order 
you hereafter to be called by that name. ' ' * Never was a Gartered Night prouder of his title 
than this dusky child of the forest, and never one wore it with more distinguished honor. 
The Governor gave his adopted son the message, and New Castle started for Wyoming 
and Diahoga (Tioga), met the savages, and like a skillful embassador, induced the fierce 
Delawares to lay aside the hatchet, come to Easton, and meet their white brethren at the 
Forks, kindle the council fires, and settle their differences in a proper way. This hazard- 
ous mission to Diahoga by New Castle was effecflual in bringing about a conference between 
the Governor and Teedyuscung, at Easton, in July following, and opened negotiations for 
a peace. This treaty met at Mr. Vernon's ta\-ern and ferr)- house at the point. New 
Castle not only returned, but brought Teed\uscung, the great war trumpet of the Dela- 
wares, with him. As the last mentioned character is to appear very frequently at Easton 
during the treaty gatherings at the ferr)-, a brief account of him may not be out of place. 
According to his own statement, he was born in New Jersey in 1700, east of Trenton, in 
which neighborhood his ancestors of the Lenape had been seated from time immemorial. 
Old Captain Harris, a noted Delaware, was his father.! Teedyuscung was a tall, raw- 
boned, imperious man. From his eloquence he was styled the War Trumpet of the 
Delawares. He held entire control over his people; with his scalping knife in his belt, a 
single war-whoop would call his braves to the field, and start them on the war-path. 
Coming under the influence of the whites, he had acquired decided love of strong drink. 
Major Parsons tells us he would drink three quarts of rum in a day and not be drunk. 
Soon after Bethlehem was .settled, he came under the influence of religious impressions, 
and desired to be received into the Christian church. The brethren had not confidence in 
him, and put him on probation ; at the end of the time he still expressed the same desire, 
and he was accepted, and was baptized by Bishop Cammerhoff, March 12, 1750. The tall 
child of the forest, at fifty >-ears of age, robed in snow\- whiteness, kneeled and received 

* History of Moravian Church, page 233. t History of Moravian Church, page 217. 



E ASTON, I'ENN'A. 49 

the sacred rite in the presence of those Godly people. He rose from his knees a member 
of the church, but, like many others, not a Christian. The atmosphere was soon filled 
with the tales of Indian warfare, he snnffed the breeze, he forgot his vows on bended 
knees, went to Bethlehem, and by his eloquence persuaded quite a number to leave their 
friends and prepare for battle. Teedyuscung had seen the French at Niagara, and received 
rich presents in clothing, in which he was soon to appear at the Ferry Tavern in Easton. 
This was the head of one of the parties soon to assemble at \'emon's tavern. At the 
Point all was bustle and hurr}' and excitement with the hum of preparation. The meet- 
ing of the Council had been arranged for July 24th. A week before the Council, the town 
began to fill up with Indians from the West and North. The citizens became intensely 
alarmed. They tried to keep liquor away from them, for, if the\- could keep them sober, 
they might be free from danger; if they should get drunk, the worst consequences might 
ensue. The Lieutenant-Governor of Pennsylvania was present, and four commissioners, 
appointed by the Assembly, four members of the Governor's Council, besides a large 
number of distinguished gentlemen from Philadelphia, and Colonel Conrad Weiser, the 
Indian agent, with forty soldiers from Heidelberg, Berks county. They found only twenty- 
four Indians present. The Governor and State oflicers appeared in great style, guarded by 
soldiers front and rear, and with the music of fife and drum came to the tavern at the 
Point. Never before had the ferr)- been a scene of such excitement. Vernon, without 
doubt, felt the importance of the moment, for it zcas of vast importance. The question 
of peace was to be the theme of debate, and many hoped it would be settled, that the 
Indians would be at peace, and leave the people to recover from the efifecls of the recent 
murders. But the number of Indians was so small, the influence upon the different tribes 
would be limited, were reasons which influenced all parties to postpone the business till 
fall. The time for the second meeting was set for November 8, 1756, at which date the 
treaty powers again met at Vernon's tavern, at the ferry. The Indian attendance was 
large. The proprietaries and Teedyuscung had exerted themselves to bring representatives 
of all tribes concerned. Teedyuscung, king of the Delawares, was attended by sixteen 
of his nation, four Six Nation Indians, two Shawanese, and six Mohicans. Of the 
English, Governor Denny, William Logan and Richard Peters, of his council; Benjamin 
Franklin, Joseph Fox, W'illiam Masters and John Hughes, commissioners; Colonel Weiser, 
Major Parsons, Captain Weatherholt, Captain Vanellen and Captain Reynolds, oflRcers of 
the Provincial forces. These were the contra(?ting parties. * The sessions continued nine 
days. The military were well represented. The Governor and Council were escorted to 
and from their lodgings, by the military in such pomp as to inspire the Indians with awe at 
the power with which they were dealing. 

Teedyuscung, whose hands had been stained with the blood of tho.se kind hearted 
Christians who had so recently sung the songs of joy at his baptism, was there puffed up 
with pride as he appeared wearing a fine broad-cloth coat, a present from the French at 
Niagara, and a cocked hat purchased in Philadelphia, trimmed with gold lace; he was 
gazed at by the boys of Easton, and envied by his people. Many people from other coun- 
ties and Philadelphia, and from New Jersey, were there. Hundreds of people stand around 
the old Ferry-house Tavern, waiting the arrival of the Governor. At length the shrill 
sound of the fife and beating of the drum tell the approach of Governor Denny. He is 

* Colonial Records, Volume VII, page 313. 



50 



THE HISTORY OF 



guarded by soldiers, front, flank and rear, and the British flag waves its red cross over his 
head. The people at the Forks had never witnessed such a display. And never had such 
a throng gathered at the Point. The happiest among the company is Major Parsons. As he 
so proudly keeps step with the music, he feels now that peace will come to his beloved 
town, and partly relieve him of his harrassing care. He had lived for Easton, it will now 
be preserved, and he will not have lived in vain. It was three o'clock in the afternoon 
when the parties were to enter iipon the business which was uppermost in every heart. 
The parties entered the old tavern, took their seats, the soldiers were placed on guard. 
King Teedyuscung opened the proceedings. He "stood up as the champion of his 
people, fearlessly demanding restitution of their lands, or an equivalent for their irrepara- 
ble loss, and in addition the free exercise of the right to select, within the territory in 
dispute, a permanent home. The chieftain's imposing presence, his earnestness of appeal 
and his impassioned oratory, as he plead the cause of the long injured Lenape, evoked the 
admiration of his enemies themselves. He always spoke in the euphonious Delaware, 
employing this castilian of the new world to utter the simple and expressive figures and 
tropes of his native rhetoric, although he was convensant with the white man's speech."* 
During the nine days of the negotiations, the business had been condudled with the 
utmost courtesy and plainness of speech. No one can read the proceedings of this remark- 
able treaty t without feeling that Teedyuscung gave evidence of superior endowments, 
that compared well with the provincial authorities. He told his grievance plainly, and 
when the Governor desired to know the price he demanded, he would not set a price; inas- 
much as the owners of the land were not present, it must be left to a future meeting. As 
the sessions were drawing to a close, a gloom was cast over the whole scene by an 
announcement of the Governor, that Capt. Newcastle had just died of small-pox. Governor 
Denny and Teedyuscung spoke tenderly of the heroic chara(5ler of the dead embassador 
who had risked his life in carrying the message that resulted in the treaty of peace. The 
usual good wishes and mutual desire for each other's happiness was the prelude for part- 
ing, and the Point resumed its usual quiet. 

The English were quite willing to pay for the land, but must have another meeting 
the following summer. In 1757, another treaty was held at Easton to determine the ques- 
tion thus left open. The Council opened July 21, and closed August 7, 1757, making a 
period of eighteen days. The scene, as far as numbers were concerned, was far more 
imposing than the last Council. Of the English, the Governor, William Denny, James 
Hamilton, William Logan, Richard Peters, Lynford Lardner, Benjamin Chew, and John 
Mifflin, the Governor's Council; Isaac Norris, Speaker of the Assembly; Daniel Rober- 
deau, member of the Assembly; William Masters, John Hughes, Joseph Fox, Joseph 
Gallaway, Provincial Commissioners; a number of gentlemen from the city of Philadel- 
phia, and others from the Province; Thomas McKee, interpreter for the crown; Conrad 
Weiser, interpreter for the Province, and John Pumpshire, interpreter for Teedyuscung, 
and Charles Thompson his clerk. There were three hundred Indians present, represent- 
ing ten Indian nations; and later in the sittings of the treaty, Paxinosa, king of the 
Shawanese, with sixty followers, came. Is it any wonder that the women of Easton were 
fearful when so large a body of savages was in the town, with rum at their disposal ? 
Teedyuscung made three demands; the first was for a clerk in his own interest. This the 

* History of the Moravian Church, page 224. f Colonial Records, VII, page 213. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 51 

Governor very politely refused, but the Indian sent word to Gov. Denny, he might choose 
one of two things, either allow him a clerk, or abide by the result, as he would break up 
the Council and go home. The clerk was granted. Another demand was a place for a 
home for his people in Wyoming. He wished definite boundaries fixed, and have it made 
imlawful for his people to sell it, or white men to buy it. He desired the English to 
build houses for him, send religious teachers, and teachers for the children of his people. 
The third was pay for the Minisink lands. The last question was referred to the King of 
England. The business of the Council was finished. The Delaware king took two belts, 
tied them in a knot together; he took hold of one end, and the Governor the other, thus 
showing the bond of union which would hereafter bind them together. After the Gov- 
ernor, Teedyuscung and Paxinosa had addressed the multitude, a great dinner was 
prepared by Mr. Vernon. More than three hundred sat down to this dinner. What a 
wonderful scene for the little town! The white man at the same table with the Indians, 
who had so recently spread consternation and death, in scalping men, women and children 
in the Minisinks! The soldiers were drawn up in line before the old tavern, and fired 
three roimds — it was a "fire of joy." In the evening bonfires lighted the air, the 
Indians engaged in their wild war dances, making the air ring with the savage war 
whoop. "Take the lock off the rum cask, and let it run," said the Delaware king. 
In the free libations long before the bonfires ceased to burn, overcome by the fierj- draught, 
the Indian chiefs forgot the .sorrows of the past, the joys of the present, or the anticipa- 
tions of the future. It was a night of revelry and wild excitement. The quiet of morn- 
ing soon returned, the officials were off for Philadelphia, the Indians started to their 
hunting grounds, and the usual quiet reigned around the tavern, the ferry boats went on 
as usual. The mothers and daughters and boys of Easton talked over the matters in their 
little cabins; all danger was passed, and they could sleep without fear. 

There were questions left to be settled by a future council ; the price of the Minisink 
land demanded by Teedyuscung had been referred to the English king. They must meet 
and hear the answer from the king. Teedyuscung had made a very serious complaint 
against New Jersey, saying they had been treated verj- badly in regard to the lands in the 
northern part of New Jersey, and he wished the Governor of Pennsylvania to intercede 
with the Governor of New Jersey in his behalf, and this was matter for a future treaty. 
He had made a demand for a home in Wyoming, that was also to be answered. And so 
another council must meet to settle these questions and enlarge the number of Indian 
nations in leagiie against the French. The new council met on October 8th, 1758. The 
people had become accustomed to Indian treaties, feared them less and enjoyed them more. 
They began to have an eye to business. The gatherings brought money into town, and 
they began to enjoy them. Vernon was as bus}- as a bee in preparing for the august 
gathering. The hunters were out after game. Anthony Esser was gathering in his sheep 
and beeves. The good German ladies were cleaning house and arranging their beds for 
Philadelphia visitors. Each was ambitious to entertain the Governor. But as his excel- 
lency put up in Mr. Parsons' house, corner of Ferry and Fourth streets, last year, he would 
ver\' likely go to the same place this year. W^illiam Parsons had passed away. October 
8th was near at hand; the Indians began to arrive. Teedyuscung comes, wearing his 
cocked hat and military coat, trimmed with gold lace. He who had seen him once would 
never need to inquire after his name. The day for the meeting brought a large concourse. 



52 THE HISTORY OF 

The Governor of Pennsylvania and staff were there as before; the Governor of New Jersey 
and his staff were there. The hint that the New Jersey people had wronged the Delawares 
brought Governor Bernard to the front. A number of Magistrates and Freeholders of 
this and the neighboring provinces, and citizens of Philadelphia, were present. There 
were twelve Indian nations represented, about twenty Indian chiefs, and about three 
himdred in number of men, women and children. The conference continued from the 
7th to the 25th of Oftober. The main obje6l of the Council was to hold their influence 
over these widely extended nations against the constant efforts of the French emissaries, 
who were ever busy in their efforts to turn the hatchets of the Indians against the Eng- 
lish, and thus aid them in the mighty task they had undertaken. There were other 
nations present at this Council with old grudges to settle up, and thus remove stumbling 
blocks out of the way of peace and friendship. The Governor of New Jersey inquired of 
Teedyuscung the nature of his demand. The northern part of New Jersey contained 
lands which he claimed. A line drawn from the Delaware to the falls of the north branch 
of the Raritan river and thence to Sand\' Hook was the southern boundary. Governor 
Bernard offered eight hundred dollars in Spanish coin. Teedyuscung demanded one thou- 
sand; it was granted, and the cause of complaint removed. There was much jealousy 
between the Iroquois and Teedyuscung, which bid fair at one time to be a serious hin- 
drance to peace, but it was all smoothed over. Every day's proceedings showed stronger 
signs that a basis of solid peace and friendship would be reached. The Indians said the 
chain was growing brighter. The Council drew to a close. 

A very costly array of presents was brought from Philadelphia for the Indians. The 
reader may form some idea of the nature of the presents, when he hears that one hundred 
and eighty-seven ruffled shirts were presented among the many fine things given to these 
children of the woods. Horses were granted the old chiefs to ride home upon, and wagons 
to carry their presents to their canoes in the Susquehanna (winding river). The end of 
the treaty had come. Thomas King, an Oneida Indian, had said many things for the Six, 
now Eight United Nations. This was the last address. And Thomas King, looking round 
the room, spied Mr. \'ernon, and said to him, now that the business is over, you may take 
off the lock from the rum cask and let it run, that our hearts may be made glad. * This 
Council was closed, the members had gone to their homes. Quiet again resumed her sway 
at the Point. Here is a historic spot made beautiful only by the hills which encircle it, and 
the embracing of these rivers as they go murmuring to the sea. But the events that tran- 
spired here constituted an important fadlor in the French and Indian war. This little 
deserted spot was one of the most important battle fields of that war, which decided the pos- 
session of a continent. It was not a battle with deadly weapons, but a battle of diplomacy. 
F'rom the beginning of the war the French made iintiring efforts to influence the Indians 
throughout the States of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, to turn their hatchet against 
the whites. To counteracfl this the Council fires were kindled at Easton, and kept brightly 
burning, till at the last Council there were twelve Indian nations represented, and nearly 
thirty Indian chiefs entered into an alliance, offensive and defensive. They engaged to 
attack any advancing foe and help defend their white brethren. This spot is worthy of 
tender remembrance by the people of Easton for the important part it has played in this dark 
hoiir of our colonial history. Quebec fell September 13, 1759, and virtually settled the 

* Colonial Records, Vol. VIII, page 223. 




^<; oJ 



I ." S 






E ASTON, PENN'A. 53 

confli<ft. But the war continued on the ocean mainly till 1763 — September loth — when a 
treaty of peace was signed at Paris. But there could be no settled peace in America while 
those great nations were at war. So another great Council convened at Easton, August 
5th, 1761, at which seven additional nations of Indians from beyond the lakes, formerly in 
the French interest, but lately entered into alliance with us, were present. There were near 
five hundred Indians at this treaty, and the seven additional nations made nineteen nations, 
that had been formed in treaty combination at the Council fire of Easton. The prisoners 
had not been returned by the Indians. The encroachments of the whites on Indian lands 
gave new causes of complaints which required the constant watch on the part of the govern- 
ment to prevent serious trouble. Teedyuscung was there to look after the answer from the 
King of England, it had come to hand, but was in the hands of General Sir William Johnson, 
Indian Agent. These were the principal points discussed at this treaty gathering. There 
were two questions which could not be settled at this treaty, viz: the surrender of the 
prisoners in the hands of the Indians, and the closing up of the business between Teedy- 
uscung and the English king. Another Council therefore convened, at which these mat- 
ters were adjusted. The business was finished; large presents were made to the Indians; 
horses and wagons were procured to carry their presents and their sick to their canoes on 
the Susquehanna; a general hand-shaking; mutual good wishes were imparted, and the 
last Council at the old Ferry tavern closed. The ofllicials returned to Philadelphia, and 
the great throng of these dusky children of the woods started in long procession for their 
distant forest homes. The scenes around the Point assumed their ordinary quiet. 
From the 5th to the 12th of August, 1761, the town was in a fennent of excitement, but 
all apprehensions of danger had passed, and Easton enjoyed the tumult. Some historians 
assert that there was another Council here in 1762, but this is a mistake. The questions 
left unsettled at this Council were finally settled at a Council held at Lancaster, August 
19th, 1762. The prisoners were all delivered up to the entire satisfaction of the authori- 
ties. Teedyuscung acknowledged he was entirely mistaken in his accusations against the 
proprietors. "He had been wrongly informed by his ancestors." He relinquished all 
right to the lands in the Winisinks. The title had long since passed from them, and the 
documents proved it. The King of England had decided that whenever the Delaware 
king should make above acknowledgments a large present should be made to the Dela- 
wares — a present of four hundred pounds in milled dollars, and an equal value in goods. 
Entire .satisfa6lion was _ expressed by all concerned, and the whole matter was settled. 
When King Teedyuscung left the Point in 1761, he left it never to return. At the Coun- 
cil at Lancaster in 1762, he had threatened to poison the representatives of the Six Nations, 
which served further to embitter the feelings existing between them and the Delaware 
king. The government had complied with his request; had built him a number of hou.ses 
in Wyoming valley, near the site of Wilkes-Barre, where he retired. In 1763, while in a 
state of intoxication, his house was set on fire, and the great "war trumpet" of the Dela- 
wares was consumed in the flames. To the thoughtful one standing by and gazing upon 
the crackling flames and falling timbers, strange thoughts would have come. There, in 
that burning building, lies one of the mightiest of the children of nature. There, in 
that heated flame, lies the savage warrior, the shrewd diplomatist, the natural orator, the 
leader of those wild nations. He, whom the Governor of Pennsylvania acknowledged to 
have been the principal agent of bringing about the peace, and arresting the work of 



54 THE HISrOKY OF 

savage warfare, is being consumed in those flames. He, who had compelled the Governors 
of New Jersey and Pennsylvania and the King of England to obey his mandate, lies in 
this burning mass. The house which the government had kindly built for his home, 
becomes his funeral pile. His people without doubt gathered his bones from the ashes, 
and in silent, savage gloom, gave them decent burial. He suffered the same death that he 
had infli(?ted upon the mother hugging her tender babe to her breast at Gnadenhutten. He 
often mourned that the joys experienced at his baptism never returned; but, from the 
moment he took up the hatchet against his Moravian friends, at Bethlehem, his religious 
peace left him forever. Teedyuscung on his knees in snowy whiteness, surrounded by 
his dear Moravian friends, receiving the right of baptism at their hands, is in striking 
contrast with Teedyuscung painted for war, leading his maddened warriors to battle, his 
hands stained with the blood of innocent women and children, whose scalps hang at his 
belt. Influenced by the French, irritated by the walking purchase, won by the offer of a 
crown by his people, he led on his warriors in their bloody pathway, until met by the kind 
persuasions of New Castle, by whose kindly influence the haughty Delaware king was 
brought a willing captive to the great Council fire at Easton. In these Councils this 
remarkable chief exhibited powers of diplomacy which compared well with those of the 
Governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He defended his rights, and obtained redress 
from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. When the answer came from George II that Teedyus- 
cung was to receive four hundred pounds upon condition that he would acknowledge he 
had accused the officials of the province wrongly, that he had been mistaken, that the 
monev would be given as a present, and not as payment for lands unfairly taken from him, 
the great Delaware king showed his weakness, acknowledged he was wrong in all his 
accusations and demands, received the money and retired from active history. Rut the 
acknowledgment of the Delaware king by no means changes the opinion of mankind in 
rearard to the encroachments of the whites. 



TATAMY, THE DELAWARE CHIEF. 



"Bid raging winds their fury cease, 
And calm the savage breast to peace." — C. G. Allen. 



Before speaking of this Chief it may be well to give a brief account of the Indians 
who dwelt in Pennsylvania. A writer in the Historical Register of Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, 
page 291, begins a ver}- interesting article on the Indians of America. The origin of these 
people is still the enigma of history-. After the research of four hundred years, the origin 
of this strange people is enveloped in mystery. The writer above alluded to adopts the 
opinion that they are descended from the Jews. Count Zinzendorf* takes the same view, 
as also William Penn. The latter two believe them descended from the Lost Ten Tribes, 
while the writer in the Register draws their descent directly from Shem after the Deluge, 
maintaining that the descendants of Shem wandered East over islands and oceans, and 

* History of Moravian Church, page i8. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 55 

after three thousand eight hundred and forty years, met the Children of Japhet on the 
Atlantic coast. All of the three are confirmed in their belief by similarity in color, physi- 
cal strudlure, manners and customs and traditions. But notwithstanding the darkness 
which has overshadowed the question of the origin of the Indians, the thinking world is 
adopting the view which is expressed by the writer in the Historical Register, viz. : that 
the Indians are the descendants of Shem. That as Japhet traveled West, Shem went 
toward the rising sun. One of America's acutest statesmen adopted the same view in a 
speech in the United States Senate, July 29, 1852.* "Even the discovery of this conti- 
nent and its islands, and the organization of society and government upon them, grand 
and important as these events have been, were but conditional, preliminary, and canceIlor>' 
to the more sublime result now in the adl of consummation. The reunion of the two 
civilizations which, parting on the plains of Asia four thousand years ago, and traveling 
ever afterward in opposite direc^lions around the world, now meet again on the coasts and 
islands of the Pacific ocean. Certainly no mere human event of equal dignity and impor- 
tance has ever occurred upon the earth. It will be followed by the equalization of the 
condition of society and the restoration of the unity of the human family." The general 
principle adopted by Mr. Seward is the constant easterly movement of the Shemitish and 
the westerly movement of the Japhetic tribes, and the meeting on a continent divinely 
prepared for their reception. The writer in the Register only makes the Shemitish tribes 
precursors in the movement. 

The Lenni Lenape is the name of the Indians who inhabited Pennsylvania, New 
Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. This name signifies Original People. They gave this 
as their name to the first imigrants. It is supposed that they at a very early period had 
wandered to this locality from the West. On their way East, at the Mississippi river, 
they came in contact with a tribe apparently descended from the same race, called 
Mengwes. The interests of two tribes being identical, they united, and formed what they 
called a "New Union." In crossing the river they were opposed by another tribe, also of 
the same race, large in size, powerful in strength, and great in numbers. These were 
called the Alligewi. Great war was carried on by these opposing tribes for a considerable 
period. Finally the Alligewi were beaten, and to escape extermination they fled south. 
The conquerors then divided the countr}' east of the Mississippi river, the Mengwes taking 
the country- to the north, which adjoins the great lakes, and the Lenni Lenape the country 
to the east, which adjoins the Atlantic ocean. The Lenni Lenape consisted of three 
tribes — the Unamies, or Turtle; the Wunalachtikos, or Turkey; and the Minsi, or Wolf 
By the Europeans these three tribes were called Delawares. The Turtles and Turkeys 
possessed the country along the ocean from the Hudson river on the northeast to the 
Potomac on the southwest, and the Wolfs occupied the country round about the Blue 
Mountains, and all the territor>- lying between the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers. Of 
these Delaware Indians Tatamy was for many years chief He was born in New Jersey, 
near the Delaware river, about fifteen miles below Phillipsburg. In his youth he moved 
to Pennsylvania, and by constant association with the English he had acquired a good 
knowledge of the English language. He thus became very useful to the English gov- 
ernors as an interpreter in the business between the Indians and whites. For this reason 
he had a gift of three hundred acres of land for his sen,nces.t His house was near where 

* William H. Seward. History Lehigh Valley, page 50. 



56 THE HISTORY OF 

Stockertown now is, where he lived much as white people live, and carried on fanning. 
He had a white woman for a wife, and had two sons who went to school with the neigh- 
bors' children. By his persuasive powers, and his native eloquence, he controlled the 
warlike spirit of his people. He was very often in Easton, as his home was only a small 
distance awa}-. He was present at the Treaties at Easton as an interpreter for the provin- 
cial authorities. Coiint Zinzendorf visited him in 1742, at his home; he says Tatamy was a 
man of a mild disposition, who lived much as white people do. There is much interest 
attached to the character of Tatamy, inasmuch as he was a convert of the sainted Brainerd, 
who, in 1744, in December, built himself a hut at Sakhauwotung (L,ower Mt. Bethel). 
Here, on Sunday, July 21, 1745, he baptized Moses Fonda Tatamy, who had been adling 
interpreter for him since his arrival among the Forks Indians. * He was well known in 
Easton by his frequent visits, and in business transacftions. The Delawares had been con- 
quered bv the Six Nations, and reduced to the condition of women, that is, to absolute sub- 
mission. At the treaty in Philadelphia, in 1742, Teedyuscung, a rising chief, represented 
the Delawares, and boldly demanded the restitution of his lands wrongfully taken from 
his people by the Indian walk. Canassatego, a chief of the Six Nations, was there also. 
When Teedyuscung had made his demand, the spirited Canassatego rose and said to the 
Delaware chief: "Let this belt serve to chastise you, you ought to be taken by the hair 
of the head and shaken severely till you recover your senses, and become .sober. You 
don't know what ground you stand on, nor what you are doing. This land that you claim 
has gone through your guts long ago. We conquered you, we made women of you. You 
know you are women and can no more sell land than women. We charge you to remove 
instantly. We don't give you liberty to think about it, for you are women." This 
insulting speech stung Teedyuscimg to the quick, and when he realized that the provin- 
cial authorities were in league with the hated Iriquois, he resolved on vengeance. Brood- 
ing over his wrongs, his soul was set on fire; he spoke with the force and pathos of an 
orator. He rose to the position of chief of his people, and the kind-hearted Tatamy gave 
way to a superior mind. Teedyuscung adled the part of a savage demigogue, but he 
gained his point; he got his revenge. He was made king of the western Delawares in the 
spring of 1756, while his people were desolating the Minisinks (Monroe count\-) with 
scalping knife, hatchet and torch. The Six Nations acknowledged his independence, and 
sent him to Philadelphia to condudl their treaty in 1762. From this time forth Tatamy 
acfted a subordinate part. He adted as a messenger for Teedyuscung, and for the governor 
of Pennsylvania. As far as history shows, he never took up the hatchet after his baptism. 
Some writers have made the mistake of saying that Tatamy was shot near Bethlehem. 
But it was a son by the name of William, f He was shot by a boy fifteen years of age. 
The ball pa.ssed through both thighs. The poor Indian suffered a month, and was attended 
by Dr. Otto. Everything was done which kindness could suggest, but he died and was 
buried in Bethlehem; the funeral was attended by about two hundred Indians. There 
was great fear that this murder might disturb the peace that was progressing so favorably. 
Teedyuscung called the attention of the governor to the outrage on William Tatamy, and 
demanded that if the Indian died the murderer should die also. The gentle and eloquent 
father sat in the audience. The governor reminded the Indian king that the yoimg man 
was in confinement, and promised if the young Indian died the murderer should be tried 

* Moravian History, pa.ye 27. f Moravian Church, page 334. 



EASTOX, PEXWl. 57 

bv the laws of our country, which required blood for blood, and the king might send a 
deputy to the trial. And then the governor turned to the afflidled chief and said: "You 
are the father of the young man who has been unfortunately wounded. It gives us great 
concern that anything of this kind should happen. We have employed the most skilful 
doctor that is among us to take care of him, and we pray that the Almighty would bless 
the medicine that is administered for his care. We, by this string of wampum, remove 
the grief from your heart, and desire no uneasiness may remain there."* The afflicted 
chief uttered not one word of complaint, but smothered his grief, and with Christian resig- 
nation passed along in the busy whirl of life. He was present at the treaty in Philadelphia 
in 1760, after which his name disappears from history. Teedyuscung was burnt in his 
own house in Wyoming in 1763. And no one can read this brief account without inquir- 
ing about the present state of these noble Delawares. Where are the brave, warlike Lenni 
Lenape? Driven back toward the setting sun. lu 1789, they were placed on a resers-a- 
tion in the state of Ohio. But what is a reservation to the Indians when white men want 
a home ? It could not be reser\'ed. The whites came swarming all around them, and 
thev must go. In 1818, they were located in Missouri. Their home was precarious, till 
in 1866, thev accepted lands in severalty in the Indian Territory. They then gave up 
their tribal relations, and settled down in civilized life. And now, it is said, they are at 
last useful and prosperous citizens of a united people, numbering, it is believed, one thou- 
sand. And there it is to be hoped, after retroceding for a hundred years from stream to 
stream, from mountain to mountain, toward the setting sun, they will be permitted to 
grow, if not a stronger, a more submissive and more honorable people, t And palsied be 
the arm that shall be raised to molest them in the peaceful enjoyment of their homes. 

Note. — On page 74. Vol. W, Penn'a Archives, we find a letter from Teedyuscung to Sir William Johnson, 
by which we learn that Mr. Johnson had written to Teedyuscung two years before, that the Delaware king had 
answered the letter, which answer had not been received by Mr. Johnson. The Indian king received another 
letter from Jlr. Johnson, dated March 19, 1762, which letter was answered by arranging for a meeting at Phila- 
delphia, in May, where all matters would finally be adjusted. On page 77 we have the answ^er of Mr. Johnson, 
saying, "his arrangements were such that he could not be at Philadelphia at that time, but would meet him and 
all concerned at Easton, June 15, 1762." On page 7S, a letter from Teedyuscung accepts Easton as the place of 
meeting, and only those concerned in the land would come. The author fails to find any statement of the num- 
ber present, or business done, except on page 85, same vol., we have the frank acknowled,ginent of Teedyuscung 
that he was entirely mistaken in his accusations against the Proprietaries, and the "charge of forgery was a mis- 
take ;" and he acknowledged the validity of the sale of land to "old William Penn" in 1686. As to the walk, he 
still claimed it was unfairly done, but it was an opinion about which they could differ and be friends. This is 
probably the only time when Sir William Johnson was present at Easton. He brought documents with him 
that satisfied the Delaware king that the purchase of 16S6 was an honorable and veritable one, for which they 
had been fairly and honorably paid by "old William Penn. " The controversy was ended. Two points remained 
to be settled at the great Council in Lancaster in .\ugust. 1762, viz., the delivery up of the prisoners to the white 
people, and the presentation of the money from the English king. This acknowledgment on the part of Teedy- 
uscung entirely removes the supposed cause of complaint against the Penns. William Penn had disposed of the 
Province to the Crown in 1712, for ^'12,000, and received /"looo on account. He was stricken with paralysis, 
reduced to the simplicity of a child, and died in 17 18 — nearly twenty years before the "walk." For twenty-five 
years he had ceased to do business, so that, whatever unfairness may be alleged in the "Indian walk," no v\Tong 
can be attributed to the Penns. 



^ Moravian History, page 338. f Historical Register, page 299. 



58 



THE HISTOK V OF 




THE THIRD STREET GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH. 

Was built in the year 1776; Indian Treaty convened in 1777. The Hon. George Taylor was appointed 
to preside at this Treaty, and Thomas Paine to act as Secretarj'. It was used as a Hospital for the 
wounded Soldiers from the battle-fields of Brooklyn and Brandywine. Were visited by Washington 
while quartered here. Re-modeled and enlarged in 1S32. Re-modeled in 1SS6. 



The German Reformed Church. 




Edi<5l of Nantes — Persecution of the Germans in Fatherland — Flight to Pennsylvania — Congregation in 
Easton — Log Church — Building of the Third Street Church — First Repairs — Steeple Built — Last Changes — 
Line of Pastors — Memorial Windows ; by Whom Presented. 



X the year 1593, Henr\- IV, of France, issued the Edi6l of Nantes, which 
.L,^ave religious liberty to the Protestants. For this he was assassinated 
by Ravillac in 1610. Louis XIV revoked this Edidl and ordered all Protes- 
tants to return to the Catholic Church. The Palatinate, a German province 
that had been torn from Germany by France, contained a large population 
of German Refonned people. They left the country and all they had, 
except their liberty, hymn books, catechisms, and bibles. They came in 
large numbers to Pennsylvania. "In 1609 Penn sent word to James Logan 
the coming of the Palatines (Germans) and charges him to treat them with 
tenderness and care."* This kind reception by the Quakers made Penn- 
sylvania seem a Paradise to the German mind. And thus we find these 
persecuted people coming to Easton in the early days. In giving the history of the 
churches of Easton I shall classify them according to their denominational preferences. 
"Historians tell us that the beginning of the history of all tribes and nations is enshrouded 
in more or less mist and obscurity. Whether this is true as a general facft, I am not com- 
petent to affirm, but I can testify after much labor and research, that the beginning of the 
history of this reformed tribe of Israel in Easton is enveloped in mist and obscuritv so 
dense that it is utterly impossible to discover it." (Extract from Dr. Beck's sermon, July 
4, 1876.) There will be no effort to make farther search for the beginning, but to record 
what is known, and bring the faCis into a convenient shape for the future generations to 
read at their family homes. The German Refonned people were not able to bring minis- 
ters with them, but did bring their catechisms, hymn books and bibles, and pious school 
teachers. We should expecfl that these people would endeavor to make early provision 
for a place of religious worship. And so a movement was made in 1755 to ere<5l a build- 
ing to be used as a school hoitse, and also to be used as a church for any Protestant 
minister. This was successful, and in 1755, a log building was ere(5led on the northeast 
comer of, what is now. Church and Sitgreaves streets, and was used for both church and 
school house. This is the first building ere6led in Easton for religious ptirposes. "And 
there is no doubt in my mind that in this log building erected in 1755, our German Re- 
formed forefathers worshipped after the faith and order of the Reformed Church. I have 
not been able to find, in all the records and histories which I have been able to consult, 
that a regular Reformed minister of the gospel was located in Easton before 1760; but I 
think the records and circumstances will warrant us to speak of an organized congrega- 
tion as existing between 1745-50. There is no record anywhere of the place and date of 
the organization of a congregation; but, nevertheless, we have found several records, a 

* Histon,' of Bucks County, page 59. 



6o THE HISTORY OF 

few well authentic fa6ls, which point to this period as that during which the heretofore 
scattered members of the German Reformed Church of Easton and vicinity were organized 
into a church." (Dr. Deck.) Rev. Michael Schlatter, sent to this country by the Synods 
of Holland, for the purpose of looking after the religious interests of the Gennan Reformed 
people in Pennsylvania, in appealing to the Synod for help, he mentions the Forks of 
the Delaware as needing their sympathy. Dr. Beck was of the opinion that he visited 
Easton during the years between 1747-50, and presented the church with a Bible, to which 
Dr. Beck makes a very tender reference in his sermon of July 4, 1876. The first recorded 
baptism took place in 1760, September 28th. The child was a son of LudwigKnauss and 
Elizabeth, his wife. He received the name of Ludwig. His sponsors were Philip Gress 
and wife. The first regular pastor of this church was Rev. Dr. Casper Deitrich Weyberg, 
who took charge of the congregation in 1763, with the approval of the Synod. The con- 
gregation not having a place of worship, held services in the log church, and in the country 
in barns, or wherever he could find shelter for a congregation. The ministry of Dr. Wey- 
berg was but of six months duration. A vacancy continued till 1766, when Rev. Frederick 
L. Henop became pastor. The first mention of a consistory is made by this pastor, and 
the names given are Elders Ludwig Knauss and Philip Odenwelder. Deacons, John 
Gettert and Henry Schneider. Rev. Mr. Henop resigned his office in 1769, after a pastor- 
ate of three years and eight months. Rev. Pitlion was the next pastor, succeeding Mr. 
Henop in 1769, and was compelled to resign in 1771; and a vacancy continued imtil 1776. 
It was during this vacancy that the congregation began to take measures for the erection 
of a church. There had been a large stone, two-story house, built by the Moravians, on 
what is now South Third street. This had been bought by the St. John's Lutheran 
Church, and used as a parsonage in the upper story and a church in the lower story. Both 
of these congregations joined and built the church on North Third street, now known as 
the old German Reformed Church, completed in 1776, and dedicated to the service of the 
Triune God, November 17th, of that year. All other churches feel a deep interest in this 
grand old church, built by such self-denial in those early days. The land upon which it 
stands was a gift from John and Richard Penn to Peter Snyder, Nicolas Troxell, and 
Nicolas Kern, Trustees for the German Reformed congregation ; and Jacob Weygandt, 
William Roup and Conrad Bittenbender, Trustees for the Lutheran congregation. In 1777 
Hons. George Taylor and George Walton, Commissioners, were appointed by Congress, 
to be present and preside at a treaty to be made with the Indians. And they reported to 
Congress, "After shaking hands, drinking niiii, while the organ played, we proceeded to 
business." In Vol. XI of Colonial Records, page 98, we find the following: Resolved, 
That Mr. Thomas Paine be appointed secretary to the Commissioners for the Indian Treaty 
to be held at Easton, on Monday next. This vote was pas.sed at a meeting of the Council 
of Safety in Philadelphia, January 21, 1777. It was twenty years since the exciting 
Treaties at the Point. Vernon had gone West. Large hotels had been built. The Third 
Street Church had just been built, and was the largest building in Easton. And the sacred 
edifice is opened to receive the Commissioners thus appointed by the government. The 
effort of the former Treaties was to prevent the French obtaining control of the Indians, 
and turning their scalping knives against the English. The effort of the Treaty at the 
German Reformed Church was to detach the Indians from the English government, and 
prevent the officers of the crown turning the hatchets of the Indians against the Colonies. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 6i 

That the Treaty was not very successful is evident from the facft that Sullivan's expedition 
would have been sent among the savages the next year, but for the want of time to accom- 
plish the work before winter. And during the Revolution this building was frequently 
used as a hospital, the people willingly lending the sacred edifice for the comfort of 
wounded and dying soldiers. So that these floors have been consecrated with the blood 
of patriots, and these walls have echoed to the wails of dying heroes; and thus this old 
church has atled well her part in obtaining those liberties which we prize so dearly. Long 
may the old building stand as a glorious monument of "the times that tried men's .souls." 
After the dedication of the church. Rev. John William Ingold became pastor. In 1786, 
Rev. Dr. Lebrecht Frederick Herman became pastor of this church, with Plainfield, Drv- 
land, and Greenwich. He was esteemed as a man of culture and ability. In 1793, D^- 
Herman was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Jacob Christian Becker. He was a man of extraor- 
dinary power and eloquence. He remained but one year and a half, and was followed by 
Rev. Thomas Nicolas Pomp, the only son of Rev. Nicolas Pomp, who was one of four 
missionaries sent to this country by the Reformed Church of Holland. He took charge 
of the church in 1796, and remained active pastor for more than fifty vears, with entire 
acceptance to the people of his charge. At a congregational meeting held in 1832, Janu- 
ary 2d, Peter Shnyder, Philip Odenwelder, and Daniel Butz, were appointed a committee 
to whom was entrusted the whole matter of reconstructing the church. The main walls 
were not disturbed ; an addition was built on the north end of the church, and the steeple 
eredled, and the building assumed its present appearance. The expense of reconstru(5lion 
was about $25,000. The German language was used exclusively by the church till 1831, 
when the church employed an English a.ssistant to Father Pomp, and the English language 
became incorporated in the service in the ministry' of Rev. Dr. Bernard C. Wolf Father 
Pomp died April 22, 1852. When he withdrew from the active pastorate Rev. Bomberger 
became pastor in the Gennan language, and was followed in 1854 by Rev. Dr. John Beck. 
By the death of the older members of the church, and the prevalence of the English lan- 
guage in the community, the need of the German became less and less, and in the fall of 
1871 it ceased to be used, and the Engli.sh has since been the language of the Reformed 
Church on North Third street. Rev. Dr. John Beck remained in charge of the church 
till April 19th, 1877. He had resigned his charge, but died before the time at which the 
resignation should take place. Dr. Beck was a man of quiet, studious habits. Although 
he held tenaciously to his opinions, he was not of an aggressive characfter, and he is mainly 
remembered for his scholarly sermons, and his pleasant, affable manners. After the death 
of Dr. Beck, Rev. Dr. T. C. Porter of Lafayette College, was chosen to fill the vacant 
pulpit, and was installed on the 29th of August, 1877. After seven years of faithful toil 
and successful work he lays aside the burdens of his office and again gives his entire atten- 
tion to his dvities in the college. In the closing sermon of Dr. Porter, he remarked that 
the first sermon he ever preached in the church was nearly twenty-three years ago. At 
the breaking out of the great civil war President Lincoln appointed September 26, 1861, 
a day of fasting and prayer. The Synod of the German Reformed Church was in session 
in this church at the time, and Dr. Porter was invited to preach the sermon, which he did 
to a crowded house. The topic was the repenting of Nineveh at the preaching of Jonas. 
He came to Easton, as professor in Lafayette College in 1866, and on the invitation of the 
Consistory, preached in the E^nglish language every alternate Sunday morning, in the 



62 THE HISTORY OF 

ledture room for a period of three years — 1867-8-9, while Dr. Beck preached in the church 
in the German language. Dr. Porter is a fine scholar, and a faithful preacher. 

Rev. H. M. Kieffer succeeded Dr. Porter as pastor. He had been pastor of the Church 
of Ascension, of Norristown, and was called August nth, 1884, by a committee of East 
Pennsylvania Classis, consisting of Rev. Dr. Porter, Rev. T. O. Sterm and Rev. Dr. 
Heisler. The latter preached the installation sermon. He was installed October 30th, 
and preached his introdudlory sermon the following Sunday morning, November 2d. Text 
Phil. I, ii, "Grace be unto yon from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." 

In the early part of the following year preparations were made for repairing the church 
building, which had stood without material change or improvement since 1832. The 
congregation felt a desire to make extensive repairs, and yet not destroy the ancient and 
venerable appearance of the oldest church in the borough. The people entered heartily 
into the work and appointed a committee to make whatever alterations, improvements 
and repairs they thought necessar\-. In carrying out their instru6lions the Committee 
secured the services of John M. Stewart, an Easton architect, to prepare plans for the re- 
modeling of the building. To this Committee too much credit cannot be given for their 
untiring attention and labors throughout the whole period of the reconstru(5lion of the 
building. To their wisdom and judgment must be attributed the superior comfort and 
beautiful appearance the church now presents. The architect in making his plans for the 
alterations endeavored to retain the principal features of the old colonial style of archi- 
tecture displayed in the old building, and conform as nearly as possible to it in all altera- 
tions and additions, and that fadl gives the church a peculiar and distin(?tive appearance, 
which is at once pleasing and attractive. An enclosed porch, approached with stone steps 
and tiled floor forms a lobby at the vestibule, which is now made a very commodious and 
imposing one. Two handsome stairways lead to the galleries, and three doors lead from 
the vestibule to the audience room, which has been enlarged by the addition of a pxilpit 
recess, which in its decoration forms one of the handsomest features of the church. The 
old pulpit has given place to a beautiful chancel railing, pulpit, desk, altar, baptismal fount 
and candelabrums. The chairs are of cherry, beautiful in design, and richly carved. The 
old pews enclosed with doors give place to well arranged and exceedingly comfortable 
pews of cherry. The galleries, which were usually almost inaccessible and useless, have 
been entirely re-arranged so that they are easily reached and more desirable for sittings. 
The old wooden columns supporting the galleries, which obstrucfted the view, have been 
removed and iron pillars, handsomely finished, substituted. The walls and ceilings have 
been frescoed in the most artistic manner ; the upper windows have been filled with stained 
glass, while those in the audience room, nine in number, are memorial windows, contrib- 
uted by the following persons, and are in the following order, beginning on Third street, 
going north : The first by Miss Mary Mixsell and her sister, Mrs. Major Wykoif, in the 
memory of their father and mother, Charles W. and Mar\' K. Mixsell ; the second by 
Mrs. Wm. H. Lawall and Miss Lillian Lawall, her daughter, in the memory of William 
H. Lawall ; the third by Mrs. Charles Santee, of Philadelphia, to the memory of her 
father and mother, Peter and Elizabeth Shnyder ; the fourth by Mrs. Anna M. Eyerman, 
to the memory of her father and mother, James and Mary Black ; the fifth by Mrs. Mary 
Saylor, of German town, Pa., in the memory of her father, the late Judge George Hess ; 
the sixth and seventh by private persons to the memory of the Rev. Thos. Pomp and the 



EAST ON, PENN'A. 63 

Rev. Dr. Bernard Wolff, former pastors of the church ; the eighth by the Sunday Schools 
of the congregation to the memory of the Rev. John Beck, D. D., also a fonner pastor of 
the church, and the ninth by Mrs. John Hutchinson, to the memor>' of her mother, Eliz- 
abeth Nicholas, and her family. All are most beautiful specimens of the decorator's art, 
and add greatly to the appearance of the church. Gas fixtures, upholstering, carpets, etc., 
have been arranged in a superior manner. The whole cost of the improvements was 
nearly $12,000. Prior to the repairs the outer walls were of a pale yellow color. The 
steeple was painted white and had on it the dial of the town clock, which had been remov- 
ed to the Gennan Lutheran Church. The main entrance to the building was by a door on 
Third street, where the vestibule now is. There was also another door on Third street, 
occupying the position of the upper window, next Church street. It was not, stri(5lly 
speaking, a door, but served the purpose of both door and window. It has been converted 
into a window. The entrance on the east side was the same as it now is. Internally the 
changes are more marked. Passing into the church as it was before the repairs, as one 
enters the vestibule, he found two box stairways leading to the galleries— the ceiling low 
and somewhat cramped in appearance, by the projection of old " bellows gallery," used in 
former times for the organ, but since fallen into disuse except as a lumber room. Where 
the two large arches now are two doors of ordinary size opened into the central part of the 
vestibule. In the audience room there were six rows of pews, instead of four as at present, 
with three aisles separating them — the central aisle being where it now is, and the side 
aisles not being along the walls, but separated from them by a row or tier of short pews. 
The old pews were indeed all short, containing only three, or at most four sittings, and 
being generally considered very uncomfortable. They were low in the back, narrow in the 
seat, ver)' close together, and were furnished with doors. The pulpit was a massive stnic- 
ture of mahogany, and there was no recess, chancel, rail or front. The windows were of 
ordinary glass, and furnished with \'enetian blinds. The posts under the galleries were 
heavy wooden affairs which somewhat obstructed the view. These fadls have thus been 
presented as they may be of interest in the future. New spouting has been put up. It is 
of great interest to observe that the old spouting had done service since 1832, that is for a 
period of fifty-three years, and that Mr. Lewis Heller, when he was a young man made the 
old spouting, and had the singular fortune when he was an old man, to help make the new. * 
The committee having the matter in charge consisted of 

Rev. H. M. KIEFFER, Pastor. 
JACOB RADER, | 

WILLIAM KELLER, \ Elders. 
HENRY YOUNG, I 

WILLIAM THOMSON, 
THOS. RINEK, 
HORACE BACHMAN. 

The work of this Church in Easton has been the building of two churches of the same 
faith and order — the one on the comer of Tenth and Lehigh streets, and the other on 
College Hill. It was by the labors of Dr. Beck that St. Mark's Church was erecfled, he 
having been very o.6live in securing the necessary funds. 

*By Rev. H. M. Kieffer. 



64 THE HISTORY OF 

ST. MARK'S CHURCH. 

This building is 46x72 feet, built of brick, with main audience room, and a base- 
ment for Sunday School and weekly le(?tures. It was erected in the years 1871-72, by the 
Third Street Reformed Church at a cost of $16,000, and conveyed to St. Mark's Reformed 
Congreo-ation in May, 1875, subjecft to a mortgage of $3500. The congregation was 
organized July 27th, 1872, and incorporated May 6th, 1873, with eleven members. From 
the time of the organization until the calling of a regular pastor — a period of nine months — 
the congregation was served by Rev. Dr. Porter. The first regular pastor. Rev. Geo. H. 
Johnston, formerly of Somerset, Pa., commenced his labors April 11, 1873, and continued 
until December ist, 1875, a period of two years and eight months. He then resigned to 
take charge of the Green Street Christ Reformed Church, Philadelphia. From this time 
until August ist, 1876, the congregation was without a pastor. At this time the present pas- 
tor. Rev. T. O. Stem, commenced his labors. His pastorate has now continued nine years, 
and during this time he has received two hundred and fifty-six members, and the number 
on the roll now is three hundred and twenty. The Sabbath-school numbers three hundred 
and fifty. The church is prosperous and harmonious, and the congregation is engaged in 
making arrangements for building a parsonage at a cost of $3000. 

This church was closed for repairs July 13, 1884, the walls handsomely frescoed and 
other necessary changes made. It was re-opened for divine service September 7th, and 
was re-dedicated on the last mentioned date with appropriate services. Rev. Dr. Samuel 
G. Wagner, of Allentown, preaching the sermon. Rev. Dr. Heisler addressed the Sabbath 
School in the afternoon. 



GRACE REFORMED CHURCH. 

Thi.s Church was organized September 9th, 1875. On that day persons belong- 
ing to the Reformed Church met at the house of John Gradwohl, in the Third Ward. 
The meeting was called to order by Rev. John Beck, D. D., and opened with prayer 
by the Rev. George H. Johnston, of St. Mark's Church. Dr. Beck stated the object 
of the meeting, which was to organize a church. This was effe6ted by the eledlion of 
the following persons as temporary officers : John Gradwohl, Quintus F. Messinger and 
Richard Hahn, Elders ; and William Adams, Thomas F. Burley and Theodore Schug, 
Deacons. They were immediately ordained and installed. At the same meeting arrange- 
ments were made to ere6l a chapel on the corner of New and Porter streets. A building 
committee consisting of John Gradwohl, Lorenzo Richlieu and Quintus F. Messinger was 
appointed. A neat, frame building, 30x45 was erecfted. The congregation then numbered 
about forty members. The chapel was dedicated to the worship of the Triune God, Feb- 
ruary- 27, 1876. On the 20th of March, 1876, Rev. Dr. Heisler received the unanimous 
call to become pastor of the church, and entered upon the pastoral duties June ist, follow- 
ing. The church now (1886) numbers over 100 members, and is free from debt. A Sun- 
day School of about one hundred and thirty pupils is in connection with the church. 
Much of the financial success of the enterprise is due to the generosity of members of 
the Third Street Reformed Church, and the efforts of Rev. T. C. Porter, D. D., all of 
whom deserve the lasting gratitude of the congregation. 



THE COURT HOUSES. 



The First Courts; Held at Hotels — Acflto Build a Court House — Its Location — Reasons for SeleAiug Easton — 
Stj'le of Architedlure ; When Built; Its Cost; When Torn Down — Description of the Square — The Pillorj- 
and Whipping Post — Pigs, Sheep and Cows ; The Milking of the Cows — The New Court House ; Reasons 
for a New One ; When and Where Built ; "The House that Houck Built. " 




HE ACT by which Northampton County was fonned was passed March 
6th, 1752, and received the signature of Governor Hamilton on the nth 
day of the same month. One of the reasons assigned by the petitioners 
for a new county was that the people were so remote from the seat of jus- 
tice that it was difficult for them to obtain their rights, and rogues took 
advantage in doing mischief with impunity. So the next step was to 
establish courts. The first court was held on the i6th of June, 1752, and 
in the session book we find this record : " At a Court of Record of our 
Lord, the King, held at Easton, for the County of Northampton, the i6th 
day of June, in the twenty-sixth year of our Sovereign Lord, George the 
Second, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, 
&.C., Anno Domini 1752, before Thomas Craig, Timothy Horsefield, Hugh Wilson, James 
Martin and William Craig, justices of the Lord, the King, the peace in the said countv to 
keep, as also divers trespassers and felons, and other offences in said county committed, to 
hear and detennine, assigned. (By commissions dated the 7th of June, instant.)" This 
was the starting point for the courts of our county. The court thus organized was com- 
pelled to hold their sessions in hotels, because they had no court house in which to meet. 
The courts thus assembled at the hotels till 1766. An Act had been passed Februar\' 17, 
1763, and may be found in Vol. V, page 247, of the votes of Assembly to build a Court 
House. During these years the question of the location of the temple of justice was a 
matter of serious debate. It was the intention of the Penns to have Easton the Shiretown 
and yet there was a great deal of opposition by those living remote from the proposed lo- 
cation. George Taylor had been appointed one of the trustees to attend to the building of 
the Court House, and had removed to Easton in 1764 to perform those duties. The ques- 
tion of location was now to be settled. A petition, very numerously signed, was presented 
to the Assembly May 15, 1765,* praying that the work might be arrested, the law 
repealed, and the building erected in a more central position. The petitioners gave the 
reason for their petition that the town of Easton was in the extreme southeast corner of 
the county, and it should be in a more central position ; and, also, that Easton was inac- 
cessible, there being no roads, and being surrounded by high hills, so high that people 
approached it only at the risk of life and limb. The Assembly received the petition, 
considered it respectfully, but the law previously enatted was re-affirmed and the building 
was eredled in Easton. From June i6th, 1752, to March 6th, 1766, the courts were held 
in the various hotels. The rents paid were from three to seven pounds, including wood 
and candles. The sessions would not last more than two or three days the first few years, 

*History of Northampton County, page 150. 



66 



THE HISTORY OF 



but as business increased, four days would be consumed. Great formality was used by 
the justices at these court gatherings. It was the custom to escort them from their homes 
or lodgings with constables in front and rear, while the heads of the justices were graced 
with three-cornered cocked hats. The common people gazed at them with amazement. 
The staves of the constables were beautifully painted, and a bill was paid the United 
Brethren for painting these emblems of official power, the amount being $25. The Court 
House was finished at a cost of $4,589.67, and was built after a model of Carpenter Hall, in 
Philadelphia. It was quite an imposing struc?ture for those days, and was a source of 




THI': III. I) ClilKT HorSE AS IT .APPEARED JUST BEFORE IT WAS TORN DOWN — I.S6I. 
WINTER VIEW. FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY KNECHT. 

pride to the borough and county. It was built of limestone, and surmounted by a cupola, 
in which a bell was placed which had been cast at Bethlehem. South of the Court House, 
just in the entrance of Third street, stood the Pillory and Whipping-post, those ancient 
instruments of punishment. This mode of punishment was common in the days and ex- 
perience of the great apostle, "five times received I forty stripes, save one," and with 
Silas was he pilloried in Philipi. And here we see in a remote town, in a land of which 
Paul never heard, the same humiliating instruments stand close by the jail, nearly two 
thousand years after those dark days. For twenty-four years this beautiful spot was dis- 
figured by the relic of an ancient civilization, and during those long )'ears many had suf- 
fered the dread infliction of the lash. Among those who received nineteen stripes, well 



£ ASTON, PENN'A. 67 

laid on the naked back, was one Mary Nickum, who had stolen linen to the vahie of 
twenty-six shillintjs and ten pence, and for this small snm she must have " her naked 
back exposed to the gaping crowd," who hear the strange sound as the lash performs its 
painful task. It would be very painful to see a man receive nineteen stripes well laid on 
his naked back, and the blood following the painful inflidlion, but it would be much more 
painful to see a woman pass through this ancient and humiliating experience. But as 
this mode of punishment is still in vogiie in Delaware, rogues are very glad that the State 
is so small that they can soon pass beyond its borders. A little further south, fronting 
Third Street, stood the jail, where many poor wretches have languished in .sorrow in ex- 
piating their crimes against society. Here then we see the machinery of jtistice, the 
court house, the pillory and whipping-post, and the jail. It may be pardonable to con- 
trast the Court House of those times with that of to-day. When the first Court House 
was finished there were sixty-three houses in Easton, of very humble dimensions. I take 
the following from the History of Lehigh Valley, that the people of to-day may not accuse 
me of exaggeration: "Each of the inhabitants owned at least one cow, while the tavern 
keepers, eight of them, had each two, viz: Jacob Abel, Jacob Hembt, Conrad Ihrie, Widow 
Nungessor, Jacob Opp, John Shock, Theophilus Shannon, Adam Yohe, Jr., and Frederick 
Wagener. There were 104 cows, 25 horses, about 200 sheep, and probably 200 hogs within 
the Borough of Easton in 1783. It was the custom to drive the cows out in the barrens, 
north and west of tlie town, for pasture. The pigs, in warm weather, were allowed 
to wallow in the pond near the Court House, and the sheep lay generally panting in the 
Court House shade, changing their location from west in the morning to east in the after- 
noon. George Troxell informed the writer that the stench was intolerable in the Court 
House from this cause, and added : ' I have often seen nearly two hundred sheep Iving 
around the court house. ' There was no borough council to interfere with the arrange- 
ments of the citizens, but everyone consulted his own convenience. The pig-pens were 
generally fronting the streets and built of slabs or rails, the small doors of which were 
usually opened ever)' morning, giving them permission to take an airing. The cows came 
home in the afternoon, walking down Ferry street in single file, accompanied by the music 
of their numerous bells, the house-wives standing ready with their milk-pails to milk 
them on the street. It used to be a lively time for the lasses to squat down in the street, 
drawing the milk from the cows as they spoke to each other of their household duties, or 
perhaps of their admirers. Many an agreeable hour was spent by the gallants of the town, 
who thus had a favorable opportunity of seeing their sweethearts and having a chat with 
them, and aiding them in keeping off the flies. The bake-ovens and wood piles graced 
the streets for many years." It would be a sight worth a little trouble to witness, 
some of the Easton belles of to-day with milk-pails in hand, meeting the cows returning 
from pasture on Third street, and the kid-gloved gallants, on the bicycles, from College 
Hill, wheeling in graceful curves around these centres of attracftion, whispering words of 
the wooing enchanter, or dismounting just a moment to whisk away the flies, which seem 
to make the cows so nervous. How the times have changed in a hundred }'ears. When 
the mind is busy thinking of the picture thus drawn of the old Court House, with hund- 
reds of living animals basking in the shade, and wallowing in the mud around it, with 
what emotions do we turn our eyes to the Court House of the present, and its surround- 
ings. It would be difficult to find a location more beautified bv nature, made much more 



68 THE HISTORY OF 

so by art. The front of the height upon which it stands so neatly terraced, kept so clean 
and the grass so closely shorn, covered with a grove of maples — as beautiful as the groves 
of Academus — amid which the temple of justice stands, with its lofty spire and classic 
columns, helps us recall the pidlure we formed in early life, when reading of the "Acrop- 
olis of Athens." Houck had been censured for building on this hill-top, but the taste of 
the present and future will honor his judgment. Strangers, in summer time, never pa.ss 
this classic spot without stopping to admire the beautiful location, and many facile pens 
have told of the glories of this summit of Court House Hill. After the first Court House 
had stood almost a hundred years, the county became satisfied that the public interests 
demanded a new one. All the bitter feuds of those old times — when from 1752 to 1764, 
the question, " where shall we build the court house?" was discussed in the hotels, in the 
humble dwellings, by the roadside, in the field and store, by men, women and children — 
had pas.sed away. Gordon, Sitgreaves, Jones and Porter had made the walls of the old 
temple ring with their eloquence. Within those old walls the strongest minds in the State 
had struggled for mastery. Murderers had been tried, convi6led and led hence to be hung. 
Long-standing difficulties had been settled, and old feuds adjusted. But like all things 
human, the old building must pass away. There now comes a new controversy, quite as 
sharp as the old one, but its area was more circumscribed. Before, the area of dispute 
extended from the Delaware to the Valley of Wyoming, and from Bucks county on the 
south, to the New York line on the north. Now Easton alone was concerned, as the 
question was by common consent limited to Easton, and by them alone settled. "Where 
shall our new temple be erecfted ?" Shall we build on the old foundation, or shall we 
move farther to the west ? The excitement was intense. The lawyers did not wish the 
Court House to be taken away from the centre of business ; the citizens did not wish the 
Square any longer filled with a public building. And tnen the room was not sufficient. 
Others thought that the town must grow in the direction to the west, and had the idea 
that the Court House west, would in the future, be in tlie centre of population. The voice 
of the people decided against the public square as being too small, and objedlionable in 
other particulars, and so, "Westward the Star of Justice takes its course." There were 
those standing ready to see that the county need incur no expense in the purchase of lands 
on which to erecfl the public buildings. The Hon. David D. Wagener and James Thomp- 
son offered land as a gift to the county. Through the a6lion of the Court of Quarter Ses- 
sions, and of two successive Grand Juries of Northampton County, the Commissioners 
were invested with legal authority to proceed and purchase land for the erection of build- 
ings for County purposes. Adling on this authority, on the 23d of May, i860, they revoked 
all prior resolves touching the matter, and concluded to purchase land offered by Hon. 
David D. Wagener, for the consideration of one dollar, and to build a Court House upon 
the same. The Commissioners were Seager, Hotick and Hillegass. Hillegass is recorded 
as remaining neutral on the question of location. Houck was looked upon as the influ- 
ential man in determining the question. He evidently had a backbone, and steered liis 
own barge amid the storm. The question was settled. The situation fronts on Walnut 
street, facing the north. The Commissioners deserve the thanks of the citizens for 
choosing a site which for beauty cannot be excelled. The archite(5l employed was C. 
Graham, Esq., whose plan was submitted to the Commissioners and by them approved. 
On June the 15th the excavation for the foundation of the building was begun, and in a 



E AS TON, I'ENN'A. 



69 




THE NEW COURT HOUSE. ERECTED IN THE YEAR 1S61. 
FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY ROCKFEI.I.OW. 

few days the work was placed in the hands of R. H. Horn, as Superintendent. On June 
2ist Mr. Wagener transferred the land to the count>-. The work went on with haste, and 
on February ist, 1861, the Judges and Members of tlie Bar were invited to inspedl the 
interior of the building, though the building was not finished until the following autumn. 
On the 22d of October, S. Trumbore was direcled to take out certain gas fixtures and other 
movables from the old Court House, and transfer them to the new. The Court House 
was ready to be occupied in November, and on the iSth of that month the first term of 



70 



THE HISTORY OF 



Court was held within its walls. Twenty-four years have passed away since the new 
Court House was built, but the feeling has not all died away which was manifested against 
building in the place where it stands, though no one would wish to see it again in the 
public square. The following humorous poem was composed by Alexander E. Brown, 
Esq. It would seem that Mr. Houck was the most blameworth)-, and hence this bit of 
wit was hurled at him. 

THE HOUSE THAT HOUCK BUILT. 



This is the house that Houck built : 

These are the Clerks who wrote in the house that 

Houck built. 
These are the Lawyers who climbed up the hills 
To visit the Clerks with awful long bills, 
Who wrote in the house that Houck built. 
This is the Crier who, when it was time, 
Warned the Jury by bell to get ready to climb. 
For when Court was called 'twas all the same. 
The old, or the young, the halt or the lame. 
Must mount with the Lawyers, who chimb up the hills 
To visit the Clerks, with their awful long bills. 
Who wrote in the house that Houck built. 

This is the Judge who said he was sick 
For fear he should tell them to build it of brick, 
(For build as they would the Court must be mute, 
Nor dare for the people one word to dispute, I 
To hold the Crier, who when it was time 
Warned the Jury, by bell, to get ready to climb. 
For when Court was called it was all the same. 
The old, or the young, the halt or the lame, 
They must mount with the Law\ers who climb up the 
'hills, &c. 

These are the wise men who showed their skill. 
By planting this nuisance on top of the hill. 
Regardless of safety, regardless of time 
Or the necks of people compelled to climb, 
F'or when Court was called, &c. 

This is the Court who said they w^ould try. 

To dispose of John Brown, ere of age he should die. 

Before the Jury sitting for life 



To try John Brown w-ho whipped his wife. 
Being called by the Crier out of the town. 
To try to get up if they never got down. 
For when Court was called they were forced to climb 
Regardless of comfort, regardless of time, 
In storm or shine, it was all the same. 
The old, or the young, the sick and the lame. 
Must mount with the lawyers who climbed up the hills, 
&c. 

These are the people who footed the bill. 

For planting this humbug on top of the hill. 

With steps so steep that he who must climb 

Must take heed of his neck in slippery time. 

When they'd climbed to the Court-room with trembling 

and fear. 
The devil a word can any one he.^R, 
F'or this great bungle is built on the plan 
To annoy the people as much as it can. 
To do the least good at the greatest expense. 
In defiance of decency, prudence and sense. 
For when Court was called they all must climb, 
To the top of the hill, regardless of time. 

They must mount up those steps from out of the town, 

.\nd those may get up who don't tumble down. 

For parties, jurors, witnesses, all 

Must climb up that steep at the Crier's call. 

They nmst scratch up the steps with grunt and groan. 

And a bitter curse on every stone. 

And mount with the Lawyers who climb up the hills. 

To visit the Clerks with their awful long bills. 

Who wrote in the house that Houck built. 



The venerable buildiiag at the Square was razed, the material removed, and the ground 
graded. The porch of the old building now graces the house of Mr. Fleming, two miles 
up the Delaware. The hands of improvement built the circular iron fence, set out the 
maples, erected the fountain in the centre, and made the Circle and Square of Easton a 
very attractive spot. The imagination must be put upon the strain when trying to realize 
the difference between the appearance of this spot now, and when the old Court House 
stood there in its glory. The land was given by Penn for a Cotirt House, and when the 
building was to be removed, application was made to the heirs to have the privilege of using 
the land for other purposes, which reqtiest was granted for a valuable consideration. 



ROBERT TRAILL. 



'Tis education fomis the mind, — 

Just as the twig is bent the tree 's inclined. 



T IS a matter of surprise to see how many names in our history tell the 
story of Scotch ancestry. Scotland is not near as large as the State of 
Maine, yet it has sent forth a steady stream of emigrants from her 3,500,000 
of people to our country which has done more than any other nationality 
to establish our educational, religious and political institutions. No settle- 
ment was complete without the church and school house. They are lovers 
of education and human freedom. Reared amid their northern hills, they 
are a tough and hardy race, and retain the national peculiarities to a marked 
degree in every clime in which they may make their home. The labors 
necessan,- to procure a livelihood amid their native hills imparts a vigor of 
body and mind which prepares them to tussle with the obstacles that lie 
in the pathway of life. They are happy in their toil, frugal in their habits, vigorous in 
thought and persistent in aClion. The pure Celtic stock occupies the Highlands, and are 
as remarkable for their hospitality as for their love of freedom, education and religion. 
The Scotch Bard has given us his idea of this feature of their charadler in the following 




"When death's dark stream I ferni- o'er, 
A time that surely shall come. 
In Heaven itself I'll ask no more. 
Than just a Highland welcome." 

Just north of the Highlands is a cluster of islands called the Orkneys. The parallel 59° 
passes through them. On the eastern coast of America this latitude would be too cold for 
human habitation; but these islands are regaled by the warm breath of the Gulf Stream, so 
modifying the climate as to make it a delightful residence for men. In the long days of 
Summer the sun is above the horizon more than twenty hours, and twilight lasts through 
the night. In Sanda, one of these islands, Robert Traill was born, April 29th, 1744, O. S. 
His father was the Rev. Thomas Traill, and his mother, Sabilla Grant, daughter of 
the Rev. Alexander Grant, of South Ronaldsay. Robert had good advantages in his 
early boyhood; though his father died when he was nine years old, leaving a widow with 
seven children, four daughters and three sons. The eldest daughter and the three sons 
were sent to Kirkwall, the capital of the county of Orkney, to be educated. The society 
of this town is regarded as quite as good as that of the most favored towns of Scotland. 
There was a good grammar school and suitable libraries for the use of the pupils. At 
fourteen years of age, Robert entered the mercantile business with George Pitcame, of 
Edinburgh. He returned to Kirkwall. But he was not satisfied with the narrow 
boundaries of a small island; when across the Atlantic, a virgin continent offered him a 
home. He desired to go where day and night were more equally divided. He had heard 
of Penn, and the noble commonwealth he had established. He had heard of its pleasant 
climate, its fertile soil, and free institutions; and at the age of nineteen he bade adieu to 



72 THE HISTORY OF 

dear old Scotland, farewell to mother, sisters and brothers, whose faces he was never again 
to see, a final farewell to scenes of his childhood, and with the star of hope shining 
brightly before him, he set sail for Philadelphia, October, 1763. He kept a diary of his 
voyage which was found among his papers after his death. The vessel in which he sailed 
was commanded by John Thompson, of Londonderry. After a passage of ten weeks, he 
arrived at the City of Brotherly Love. He had a letter from his eldest sister to one Mr. 
Gilbert Barclay, who, in a few weeks, procured a place for him with Myer Hart, a Jewish 
merchant of Easton. He remained with Mr. Hart twenty months, by which experience 
he became well acquainted with business. He taught school a year. (He does not tell 
us where. Was it in the log school house corner of Church and Sitgreaves streets?) This 
seemed then, as now, the stepping stone to the legal profession. He entered the law office 
of Lewis Gordon, prothonotary, and was admitted to the bar in Northampton county in 
1777, and became the third lawyer in Easton. He was now thirty-three years of age, and 
had passed through a good experience to aid him in the profession upon which he had 
entered. From the time of his arrival in America, through the years preceding his legal 
preparation, there had been more or less fri<?tion between the mother country and the 
colonies, and the mind of Mr. Traill became prepared to enter the contest in liearty accord 
with the struggling colonies for freedom. In the early days of the Revolutionar}- war, a 
committee of safety was formed for the county and Mr. Traill was eledled clerk, and 
adled as such for two years. The proceedings were neatly kept and are still in the hands 
of his grandson, Dr. Traill Green, of Easton. He was appointed one of the Justices of 
the Peace, June 3, 1777; and on the nth of March, military' storekeeper at Easton; a 
position which he declined. October 15, 1781, he was elected Sheriff of the county, 
which position he held to November 5, 1784. The accounts of moneys received and paid 
out while he was sheriff, lie before me, and in reading them over, I find the following bill 
paid, viz.: 7s. and 6d. for shaving Mr. Levers, when a corpse; the fee was paid to John 
Cleman; and also "paid the schoolmaster 7s., 6d. for inviting to the funeral." (This 
Mr. Levers died while he was holding the position of Prothonotar). ) Mr. Traill was 
chosen a representative to the General Assembly for the sessions of 1785-6. He rose 
steadily in public esteem, passed through the exciting times of the Revolution; came to 
Pennsylvania when it was a colony dependent on the British Crown, and now represented 
Northampton county in the Legislature of the State. He began his official career 
before he was admitted to the bar, and must have performed his work well to have 
received this mark of confidence after ten years of official life. But he was still further 
honored by his adopted State. At the close of his Legislative career, he was eledled a 
member of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, which position he held 
two years. He followed Mr. Levers as Prothonotar^' for the county. Under the Con- 
stitution of 1790, he was commissioned by Governor Mifflin one of the Associate 
Judges of Northampton county, and held the office more than two years. Judge Traill 
died at Easton on the 31st of July, 1816, aged seventy-two years. 

The Spirit of Pennsylvania^ in a notice of his death, said: "He was an honest and 
virtuous citizen, much esteemed by his fellow-citizens, and venerated for his uniform 
morality and his punctuality in business. He expired as a firm and faithful servant of 
our Redeemer. Judge James M. Porter, in an historical address relating to the county, 
spoke of many of the early inhabitants of the countv. In the course of his remarks he 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 73 

said: "Lewis Gordon was the first Attorney, then James Biddle, afterward Jndge Biddle, 
the father of John Marks Biddle, of Reading, who was the King's Attorney at the organi- 
zation of the county. The next was Robert Traill, of Scotland, who settled here before 
the Revolution, and a<5live in favor of the Colonies. His descendants in the female line 
are yet among us, and among the most respec?table part of our citizens. He was a man 
of great probity and industry', of singular professional accuracy, and though he had 
not much of the 'Suaviter in modo, he had a good degree of the fortiter in re in him.' " 
Henry, in Histor\- of the Lehigh Valley, says: "Of Mr. Traill it can be said that in every 
respe(?t he, for many years, was ever\-thing to everybody. Au}- inhabitant getting into 
difficulty was told to go to Mr. Traill, he will tell you what to do." If any writings 
were to be drawn corredlly, "go to Mr. Traill." If any secretary or clerk was wanting 
at any public meeting, Mr. Traill was called upon to officiate. The History of North- 
ampton County thus speaks of him : ' ' He was the third lawyer in Easton in point of 
time, though indeed not second to any in point of legal ability and prominence through 
a career of a quarter of a century. His popularity was great in the county. If two mis- 
guided fanners, taking counsel more of their passions than of their wisdom rushed into 
the labyrinth of the law, it was a question with such, which could soonest reach and retain 
lawyer Traill; and many a well-fed Rosinante was rushed at a dangerous pace dowti the 
steep hill, or across the Bushkill bridge, in the owner's haste to be first at the office of the 
favorite lawyer. And whatever might be needed — will, deed, assignment, or any of the 
multiform invocations or evasions of law and justice — none felt themselves secure unless 
the legal shield of Robert Traill covered them. Surrounded by so large a German popu- 
lation, he studied that language, and was so well acquainted with it that he acfted frequentlv 
as interpreter in the Northampton courts, in which, in his day, there must have been 
many witnesses who could not speak the English language." We learn that on one occa- 
sion Samuel Sitgreaves, an eminent lawyer, at the same bar, expressed a doubt as to the 
corre6lness of the translation which he made. Mr. Traill put on his hat and left the 
court room. Mr. Sitgreaves made an apolog}' for the interruption he had made in the 
examination of the witness. Mr. Traill's honesty in ever\' position was never doubted, 
and Mr. Sitgreaves felt that he had erred in e.xpressing himself as he did in regard to Mr. 
Traill's knowledge of the Gennan language, and his faithfulness in the translation. His 
family bible was in German; and it is more than probable that his wife was most familiar 
with that language. To show the chara(fteristics of the man, it may be proper to recall the 
following counsel to his children, which was found among his papers after his death: 

"Mv Dear and Loving Children : 

Before I depart this life, and leave you under the precepts and examples of a wise, 
and Almighty Ruler of the LTniverse, I am desirous to give 3^ou a little advice, for your 
future condudl in this precarious and uncertain world. You and all of you have, to my 
great satisfadlion, heretofore behaved well and affectionately to your mother and me, and 
should your mother survive me, I hope you will continue so to do. She has been an 
industrious, loving, and affecflionate wife and mother. Keep always in memory the 
instru<5lion you have in youth received, and the many mercies and benefits bestowed on 
you by the Lord. Attend divine worship when circumstances and opportunities serve. 
In your leisure hours and walks meditate on the works of God, and repeat some comfort- 



74 



THE HISTORY OF 




THE OLD COUNTY HOUSE THAT STOOD IN THE SQUARE. 

ENGRAVED FROM A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN BY BROWN, APRIL 4, ]S5S, 
WHILE THE BUILDING WAS BEING TORN DOWN. 

From a Philadelphia Magazine in 179S: "The County House is a buililinj; destined for the safe 
keeping of the public records, and in which the ci\-il offices are kept. It is perfectly fire proof; it 
was built in 1792, is one-story high, of an oblong form, with a wide entry through the middle, com- 
municating with two spacious rooms on each side — each room being arched over ; the floors are all 
plastered ; the casements of the windows are of stone, and the whole of the doors and shutters are of 
iron. It is situated southeast of the Court House." 

It became useless to the county after the new Court House was built, and was sold by the Commis- 
sioners to Andrew H. Reeder, Esq., March 19, 1864. Recorded in the Office for Recording of Deeds, 
at Easton, in Deed Book G, Vol. lo, page 66i. Consideration, I5525. The Free Press was published 
here for a short time ; also, old Squire Arndt had his office in it. The Phoenix Hose Company's house 
stood in the rear. Handsome brick dwellings, ereifted by David Garis and James Dinkey, now occupy 
the site. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 75 

ing hymns or psalms. These were often my company in my solitary walks, and gave me 
relief when in trouble or concern of mind. There are several of the psalms of David 
which I would recommend, and which I got by heart in my younger days when at school, 
particularly the ist, 23d, 67th, looth, 120th, 121st, 123d, 127th, 131st, and 133d. I have 
several good books which I have diretled to be divided amongst you, as well as other 
instrudlive ones as you may choose among yourselves. Let, I pray you, no jealous}' or 
discord appear between you, and should your mother survive me, at her decease divide 
her clothing and linen as equally as possible between yourselves without any disagree- 
ment whatever. You have been always affecilionate and loving toward me and mother, 
and I hope in God you may continue. As Easton is a place of much discord, ill-will 
toward one another, and very much tattling, I would recommend to )ou that you may 
hear what you will of your neighbor, give no reply nor interfere in a thing that does not 
concern you. Tattling and back-biting are great evils, and often bring people to trouble. 
Bring up your children in a decent. Christian manner, remembering the Scriptiire .saying, 
'Train up a child in the way he shall go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' 
Show at all times a good example to your offspring, and you will, with God's help, have 
pleasure in their condudl. My last wish is, that the Lord the Ruler of the Universe, may 
bless and protedl you and them for Christ's sake, who .shed His blood for the remission 
of sin. Your affectionate father, 

„ ^ „ "ROBERT TRAILL." 

Easton, Sept. 11, 1815. 

In order to show still more clearly the character of this man, the author takes great plea- 
sure in referring his readers to a manuscript Catechism which was placed in his hands by 
one of the descendants. On the outside of the cover, we have the title: "Robert Traill's 
Catechism," and is dated 1752. It was evidently written in a boy's hand, coarse and 
heavy; part of the pages were carefully ruled, and the others not. All show the inex- 
perience of the boy. Those who know the habits of the Scotch people in the education of 
their children, will not be much surprised to learn that Robert's catechism was written 
out when he was eight years old, as he was born in 1744. Without doubt he began to 
learn his catechism with the first exhibition of thoughtfulness. And the influence of 
these principles never left him; they were the foundation of his religious charadler, they 
set the currents of life in motion, and, through storm and sunshine, they were the impell- 
ing force of his life, the solace of his soul. The instru<ftion thus given was a better 
legacy than any pecuniary bequest. He was thus prepared to battle with the trials 
and problems of life in the new world. These principles shone clearly in his touch- 
ing letter to his children, just as the sun of life was setting. Robert Traill was truly a 
religious man, yet he had a vein of humor in his nature. On one occasion, when travel- 
ing in the country on business, he came to a cross of the roads, and observed a finger- 
board directing the traveler to a village, and giving the distance. Underneath the 
dire<5lion, he saw the words: "Those who cannot read inquire at the next house." The 
incident was told with merriment when he returned home. The catechism bears evidence 
of the boy in the language as well as in the handwriting. The first nineteen questions 
are lost, but enough remains to show the faithful training of his father, who was a Presby- 
terian clergyman. The character of this good man shows plainly that a stricft religious 
education in early childhood is the best gift of a parent. 



76 THE HISTORY OF 

The author takes pleasure in quoting a few words from the remarkable catechism, in 
order to show the working of the child's mind, and the careful training he had received. 

22D QuRS. — In what condition was our Saviour when his sufferings drew near? 

Ans. — He was filled with such agony and consternation that the sweat ran over his 
body like great drops of blood. 

28TH QuES. — In what manner was our Saviour put to death? 

Ans. — Great nails were driven through his hands and his feet, by which he was fixed 
to the cross, and hung up between two thieves like a common malefadlor. 

Judge Traill was married on the 3d of March, 1774, to Elizabeth Grotz, daughter of 
Jacob and Elizabeth Grotz, who were of German birth. Her family name was Shaflfbuch. 
She was born on the 7th day of July, 1751, and died on the 31st of May, 1816, preceding 
her husband's death by two months. She was a woman of intelligence and energy, a 
very helpmate to her Scotch husband. The children were: 

Elizabeth, married Benjamin Green, who were the parents of Dr. Traill Green, the 
eminent phvsician of Easton; Mary, married Abraham Ealer; Catherine, died unmarried; 
Sarah, married Peter Nungesser; Isabella, married Melchior Horn; Anne, married Jacob 
Kline; Rebecca, died unmarried. 

All the daughters grew up to mature age. There were three sons, Thomas, George 
and Jacob, who died in infancy. 

Note.- — It is often a matter of surprise, while tracing out family lineage to see how strangely families 
from remote regions intermingle. On page 14 of a book entitled, " A genealogical account of the Traills of 
Orkney," we find the following: "George Traill married Keith Spence, whose daughter Harriet married the 
Rev. Charles Lowell, father of his Excellency the Honorable James Russel Lowell, American Ambassador to 
England, who, in addition to being an able diplomatist, has long enjoyed and maintained a high reputation in 
the paths of literature." 



KICHLINE FAMILY. 

Among the early families in Easton was the one named above. Peter Kichline was 
born in Germany, October 8, 1722, and died November 27, 1789. His name was spelled 
Kechline, Keechline and Kachline in the old records, but for many years has been 
spelled as above. He was for many years one of the most a6live citizens of the state. 
He built the first grist mill in the limits of the town of Easton, on the left bank of the 
Bushkill, back of Mount Jefferson, which property has been owned by Michael Butz many 
years. Like nearly all the German emigrants, he fled from the tyranny of kings in 
Europe, and was ready for the patriotic struggle which was ushered into life by the tr\'ing 
scenes of the Revolution. He was among the very first to take acflive measures of resist- 
ence to the encroachments of the British King. At a meeting of the citizens of Easton 
in the Court House, in December, 1774, to eledl a Committee of Safety for the county, 
he was one of the judges of the eledlion, with George Taylor; was the second man 
elecfted of that immortal band of patriots, and was placed on the Standing Committee. 
He entered thus early into the struggle, and continued steadfast unto the end. He became 
colonel of militia, and was frequently in correspondence with the President of the Com- 
monwealth of Pennsylvania. In Vol. XII, of the Colonial Records, page 312, we find 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 77 

he was ordered to call out the militia of the county, and empowered to offer fifteen 
hundred dollars for ever}- Tor}- or Indian prisoner, and a thousand dollars for every Indian 
scalp. On the next page we find an order for him to march immediately to the townships 
of Lower and Upper Smithfield to repress the incursion of the savages. The militia of 
the county was under the control of Colonel Kichline, and on the same page, as quoted 
above, we learn that those who expended money for the service must report to Colonel 
Kichline, lieutenant of the county. He was as faithful in the Indian war of 1763, as he 
was afterwards in the Revolution. He went as lieutenant with the company from North- 
ampton, to the battle of Brooklyn; was in the thickest of the fight; was taken prisoner, 
but soon returned home and buckled on his armor for further duties in the field. He was 
as busy in civil life as he was in military. He was a hotel keeper, and rented his large 
room in his new house, up one pair of stairs, to the Commissioners for holding courts, 
elecflions, and all other public business. In 1759, he was eledled one of the Commis- 
sioners; he was elected Sheriff in 1762; was chosen a member of the Assembly in 1774; 
and appointed a Justice of the Peace. The writer of the Histon,- of the Lehigh Vallev 
says: "He was a true patriot, and an honest man." Another has told us that "an honest 
man is the noblest work of God;" and when this is added to the chara6ler of the man 
who goes fearlessly to the front in heat of battle to defend the liberties of his country-, 
who mingles in civil and ofiScial life without reproach, we have a charadler worthy of our 
profoundest regard, and one which may be studied with profit. His mill property passed 
into the hands of his son Andrew, and in old age, he lived and died with his son Peter, 
who lived on a farm about two miles above Easton. His son had also a son Peter who 
was the father of Joseph Kichline, now living on South Sixth street, in the quiet retire- 
ment of old age. The writer called frequently upon old Mr. Kichline on Sixth street, 
and enjoyed his allusions to the past in conne<ftion with his experience. When quite 
young he was a clerk for one of the large firms in Bushkill Valley. He said the farmers 
would come from above the mountains with their produce, and generally took back a 
barrel of whiskey, and the whiskey was sold for eight or nine dollars a barrel. Those 
attending court as jurors or witnesses from beyond the mountains would come barefooted. 
People would give their children one pair of shoes in a year, and this would be in Autumn. 
When they were worn out they must go barefoot. Shoemakers went from house to house 
to make shoes for the family, and this was called "whipping the cat." Mr. Kichline 
went to school to the old Pedagogue in the Gennan Reformed school house, con:er of Sit- 
greaves and Church streets. This was Mr. Hempsing, who was the organist in the old church 
on Third street. Mr. Kichline has four children living: George F. Kichline, Esq., Mrs. 
Man,- Smith, Mrs. Susan Kutzler, and Miss Annie. There are six grand children, which 
makes the sixth generation. 



LEHN FAMILY. 



In the tax list of 1763, the name of Michael Lehn appears among the married men 
of the town. He was the father of Andrew Adam Lehn who lived in the southeast corner 
of the vSquare. There was another son who emigrated to Pittsburg, and Adam made 



78 THE HISTORY OF 

several trips, on foot, during his life to visit his brother. Michael, the father, was among 
the early German people who came to this country poor. His son Adam had been pros- 
pered, and owned thirty acres of land on College Hill, commencing at the juntTiion of 
Cattell street and the new road, extending toward the Delaware, and as far back as Moser's 
lane. He also owned the property in the southeast corner of Centre Square, now occu- 
pied by the residence of A. S. Deichman, and all the property on Lehn's Court. He also 
owned other property in different parts of the town which was divided, at liis death, 
between his children John and Mary. 

On the property on College Hill was a fine apple orchard, and he had some trouble 
with the boys, who had the common habits of boys when apples were ripe. A soimd 
reprimand accompanied by the ordinary threat had about the same effe6l as in more 
modern times. Adam Lehn was remarkable for his financial integrity and stri6l dealings 
with his fellows. Father Pomp preached his funeral sermon, and made the remark, that 
"if Mr. Lehn owed a man half a cent, he would cut a cent in two but what he would pay 
him his just demand." Adam Lehn married a sister of the late Philip Mixsell, and had 
two children, John and ]\Iary. John married Miss Susan Gangawere, of Allentown, and 
had a family of ten children, three sous and seven daughters, five of whom are still living. 
The daughters Maria and Matilda were twins. Maria, who married the late Henry Ben- 
der, was the mother of the wife of Judge Schuyler; and Matilda, who married the late P. 
A. Sage, was the mother of H. A. Sage. Mary, the daughter, married Ralph Tindall, 
and was the mother of nine children, five of whom are living. John married Elizabeth 
Herster; had one child, Mary E., wife of Mark T. Warne. Caroline, the wife of J. W. 
Long; Louisa, the wife of Charles Heller, of Philadelphia; Abby Ann, and Ellen, the 
widow of Dr. J. W. Geyer, of Frederick, Maryland. Maria, the late wife of Samuel 
Drinkhouse, was the mother of the wife of the Rev. George Diehl, D. D. , of Frederick 
City, Maryland; Mrs. Clement Stewart, of South Easton, and Mrs. Harry Raphael. The 
patriotism of the citizens of Easton is shown by the following incident. While spending 
a pleasant evening in the family of Mr. James W. Long, Miss Tindall told the author, 
when she saw a large bonfire that her grandmother remarked, "they may build bonfires, 
but they would never have as large a one as they had when the news of the adoption of 
the Declaration of Independence came to Easton. They brought many cords of wood 
and piled it up where the Police Headquarters now stand, which was then an open space, 
and burned it, and the hills around were lighted by the flames." It recalled, no doubt, 
the sio-nal fires on the mountains of Switzerland when libertv was in danger. 



THE BUSHKILL VALLEY. 




Empires may fall and kingdoms rise. 
Changes take place in starlit skies, 
But these rivers roll on forever. 



jASTON is made beautiful by the mouutains which encircle it, where 
"hills peep o'er hills and Alps on Alps arise." But this beauty is greatly 
enhanced by the rivers which meet and mingle their waters as they hasten 
away to the sea. The historv- of the Delaware is so closely interwoven 
with the early histor>' of the Republic, that it has become a classic stream. 
Its histor)- would make one of the most interesting stories in American 
literature. The Lehigh valley is known far and wide as one of the most 
busy in the countr}-. The canal, railroads, and furnaces smoking from 
Easton to Mauch Chunk, make it a valley for tourists to visit. So over- 
shadowing are these two in history and in wealth, that the historian 
has quite overlooked the valley of the Bushkill, and yet this little, unpre- 
tending stream was the beginning of Easton's wealth. A glance at the map of North- 
ampton county will reveal to the eye a number of small brooks starting in the Blue Moun- 
tain, bounding Bushkill Township on the north, which flow together in the southern part 
of the township, and form what is called Bushkill creek. This creek, in former years 
was called Tatamy's creek, and Lehi6lon creek, but those Indian names were aban- 
doned, and it is now known by the name of the township in which it rises, and throuo-h 
which it runs. The distance from Easton to the mountain is about fourteen miles, but 
the main stream is very crooked, which increases its length and power as a mill stream. 
There is a good deal of business done in the valley at this date, but not so large as in 
"ye olden time," when the smoke of the distilleries greeted the vision in all directions, 
and the "sound of the grinding" was not low. Large teams were constantly seen carrv- 
iug heavy loads of grain to the mills, and bringing back the flour and whiskey to the 
Durham boats waiting at the river bank. There were ten or twelve cooper-shops, which 
were kept busy manufadluring barrels in which to transport whiskey to Philadelphia. 
Whiskey was plenty then; a bottle was standing in even,' store, and purchasers were 
free to drink when their bills were settled. The author spent a verj- pleasant evening with 
one of the prominent citizens of Easton, whose age and experience enabled him to call up 
the history of this busy little valley, and name the several mills along the stream. Sit- 
ting in his pleasant mansion, near Third street, he would naturally begin with that one 
nearest at hand, and so he named the one at the foot of Third street, near the Bushkill 
bridge. But before noticing this mill, we will speak of an island which lies in the Dela- 
ware, near the mouth of this creek. This little barren island was once one of the best 
fishing stations for shad along the river. (It is vahiable now only as a deposit of excel- 
lent sand washed down by the current of the river.) It is chiefly memorable from the 
scene of the execution of Getter many years ago, and is called Getter's island. P'rom tlie 



8o 



THE HISTORY OF 



original deed, now lying before me, it is learned that this island was deeded to "Jacob 
Abel, ferryman, Peter Ealer, Esq., George William Ronp, gentleman, Jacob Arndt, Jr., 
Esq., and John Herster, all of the town of Easton," in 1787, by the Honorable John 
Penn, Jr., and John Penn, of Philadelphia, Esqrs. This island should be called Abel's 
island, as the original deed is still in possession of the family. 

The mill property at the bridge, and the first mentioned by my informant, was granted 
to John Brotzman and John Herster, in 1789, by John Penn, the younger, and John Penn, 
the elder. The deeds, showing the several transfers of the property, are fine specimens of 
penmanship, and are kept in the safe of the present owners of the mill, who very kindly 
permitted the author to examine them. Brotzman and Herster cut the road up the left bank 
of the Bushkill from the Third street bridge. This property was transferred to Jacob 

Mixsell in 1810, and retained by him for 
thirty-two years, and was transferred to 
Enoch Green, in 1842. The next owner 
was I. N. Carpenter, by whom it was sold 
to j\Iann & Allshouse, in 1868, the present 
owners. The old method of making flour 
is still used, and excellent work is done. 
The capacity of this mill is about fifty bar- 
rels per day. There is nine feet fall of 
water. On the opposite side of the creek 
was formerly Lehn's tannery, now owned 
by H. A. Sage, and is used as a furniture 
manufactory. At the foot of Fourth street 
was another tannery also, owned by Major 
William Baniet. 

The second mill is GrcEtzinger's, and 
was built by Peter Ihrie in 1829 or 1830. 
It was first used as a fulling mill, but this 
business being unprofitable it was changed 
to an oil mill, and after a fair trial, the 
trouble of obtaining flax seed was so great, 
it was changed into a grist mill. This pro- 
perty remained in the hands of Peter Ihrie 
till his death; it then passed into the hands of his son Benjamin, who sold it to the 
present owner. The old process of flour-making is continued. It has four run of stone, 
and five feet fall of water. 

Peter Ihrie was the .son of Conrad Ihrie, who was born in Germany in 1731. Peter, 
the father of Anthony Ihrie, was born in 1765, and was the father of twelve children, only 
one of whom survives, viz : Anthony, from whom the above information was obtained. 
Anthony has a family of five children, three sons and two daughters; so that the family 
name will remain in Easton. 

The third mill is now owned by the venerable Michael Butz, and it was the second 
one built on the stream, having been built in 1762, by Peter Kichline. This mill passed 
to Andrew, his son. Christian Butz bouglit the mill of Andrew Kichline, and lived in a 




*^^€^' 



Bl SHKILI — MEW OF THE OI D Bl T7 MILI 
Ri- \R ()^ MOL NT JEFi'ERSO^ 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 8i 

log house on the opposite side of the creek from the mill. At his death David Butz bought 
it from the estate of his father. In 1810, Christian Butz built the large brick house, 
which is a fine specimen of faithful workmanship, and has stood the test of seventy-six 
vears of wear and weather. In 1827, ^lichael bought the mill of his brother David, 
and still retains it, a period of fifty-nine years. The mill pursues the old method of mak- 
ing flour. There are three run of stone, twelve and a half feet fall of water, and can 
produce fifty barrels of flour per day. There is a large planing mill standing on the same 
property. IVIichael Butz's grandfather's name was Christian, the same as his father. 
^Michael has four children, and six grand children; and though he has been married nearly 
sixty-four years, he and his wife are rarely absent from church ou the Sabbath. When he 
is fresh in the morning his mind is as clear as in former times, and he seems to enjoy life 
as well as those who are many years younger. While talking with him our minds are 
taken back to the log cabin days. 

The fourth mill was owned by Judge Daniel Wagner, now used as a plaster mill ; 
water- fall fifteen feet; turbine wheel is used. The old homestead is still standing close 
by the mill. It was once a fine mansion, but now .shows the marks of time's hard 
fingers. The following sketch of the Wagner family was kept by Mrs. Elizabeth B. 
Ricker, and published by request: "Mr. David Wagner was born in Silesia, Gennany, 
May 24, 1736. His mother, then a widow, with a colony from that place, emigrated to 
the United States in the year 1740, on account of religious persecution, and settled in 
Bucks county, in this state, with her two children, David and Christopher, aged respe6l- 
ively four and eight years. The' son David married Miss Susanna Umstead, and raised a 
family of four sons and three daughters. About 100 years ago he purchased a tract of 
land of 'the Penns, the heirs of William Penn,' situated on both sides of the Bush- 
kill, a short distance above Easton, and moved thereon." The author examined the 
records, and found the purchase took place June 6, 1785. The tracl consisted of sixty- 
five acres, for which he paid 260 £ 6 s. The deed was recorded May 24, 1786. This fixes 
the date quite clearly when David Wagner began his enterprise. "The Easton Cemetery 
grounds are now a portion of that tratt of land, where his remains lie in the plot of his 
son David, southwest of the chapel. His death occurred in the sixtieth year of his age. 
His mother and her son, Christopher, remained in Bucks county, near Germantown." 
David, the son of David Wagner, of Silesia, was five years old when his father moved to 
Easton to settle on his lands on the Bushkill, and he lived seventy-nine years on the 
old homestead, when he departed this life; and that beautiful home is still in the 
Wagner family. "David Wagner, of Gennany, had thirty-seven grown up grandchildren, 
five of whom are still living: Michael Butz, John Wagner, of Allentown, and his sister, 
Mar>- Dobins, Jacob B. Wagner, and his sister, Elizabeth B. Ricker, of Easton. The 
three daughters of David Wagner, of Silesia, were married respectively to Adam Dcshler, 
Jacob Mixsell, and Christian Butz. The names of the four sons are: John, who married 
a Miss Deshler; Daniel, who married a Miss Opp; David, who married a Miss Bidelman; 
and Adam, who died a single man. The great-grandchildren are too numerous to specify, 
they number over one hundred." Mr. Amos Davis, now over eighty years old, worked 
many years for the Wagners, during the time when Daniel Wagner and his two sons, 
Jacob and David D. Wagner, were in partnership in the milling business. There is no 
doubt but that many a pleasant hour was spent in talking over old times when business 



82 THE HISTORY OF 

was not ver\' pressing. This old gentleman has a remarkable memory, and takes great 
pleasure in talking of "ye olden times." Judge Daniel's father had built a small house 
for temporary residence, and had brought two daughters to keep house for the millwrights 
while they built the mill. During the absence of papa they became very home-sick, and 
they persuaded the workmen to go home; and, early on Saturday morning, they started 
for "home, sweet, sweet home." One of the sweetest emotions of the soul is the love 
of home. And we cannot wonder that these young girls felt lonesome in the lonely spot. 
To hasten their flight to the dearest spot on earth, they took off their shoes and stockings 
and went with sturdy earnestness to the scenes of their childhood. They were overtaken 
by a gentleman driving a good team; they accepted an invitation to ride; they knew 
mother would welcome them, and they knew the kindness of their father — the only desire 
was to get home. We know nothing of the reception, but parents can easily imagine 
the hearty laugh which rang through the house when the daughters, tired with the long 
journey, appeared in the family circle. But a short time elapsed before the father and 
girls appeared again on the banks of the Bushkill. The mill was finished, the "dear old 
house" was built, and father and mother came, and with them came all the joys of 
home for the children. For many years this was the centre of business, happiness, and 
prosperity. 

About the year 1825, the fourth mill up the stream from the Delaware was owned by Judge 
Daniel Wagner. The fifth was owned by David D. Wagner. The next was an oil mill, 
now in ruins. The next was Judge Wagner's new mill. This is a paint mill, used 
for grinding mineral paint, and owned by Mr. J. Rodenbough. The author called at the 
mill and heard the busy hum of the machinery, but did not enter the building. Here 
is a water-fall of seven feet. The next is Lehicton mills. These mills were owned by 
Herster and Barnet, and are now owned by Joseph T. Williams. Herster and Barnet had 
a distillery, and the old building is yet standing on the right bank of the stream. This 
is a beautiful spot, and was one of the busy scenes of the past. The hill was so steep 
approaching the bridge from the south that chains were used to hold the heavy wagons 
from crowding on the horses. 

There is a good deal of business carried on at this point. Mr. Williams has three 
mills, a flour mill and two mills for grinding soapstone. The flouring mill is one of the 
best in the valley. The proprietor has expended about eight thousand dollars in new 
machinery with the latest improvements; and, to those who are fond of machinery, it 
will pay to visit the mill. The machinery consists of one break machine, ten sets of 
rollers, four run of stone; three are used for feed, one for the redu<flion of middlings, and 
one for flour packing. Water-fall twenty feet. The capacity of this mill is seventy-five 
barrels in twenty-four hours. The two mineral mills grind seven tons each of soapstone, 
in twenty-four hours, which is, in part, taken from the side of Chestnut Hill, not half a 
mile distant. There are several openings of this mineral in the side of this mountain. 
The Easton Silk Mill, established about three years ago, is located here, and employs 
about two hundred hands. This business is condu(?led by R. & H. Simon, the great silk 
manufatflurers of Paterson, New Jersey, formerly of Germany. The mill is engaged in 
what is called the throwing department, and is connected with other mills where the 
weaving is done. 

The whole region around Lehi6ton mills bids fair to be a beautiful part of Easton. 



EASTOX, PENN'A. 



83 




■fm^m^m 



ON THE BUSHKILL- 



-THE WAGNER DAM, SHOWING OLD WAGNER HOMESTEAD, AND 
RINEK'S ROPE WALK IN THE DISTANCE. 



Thirteenth street has been graded, and curbing Laid to the foot of the Chestnut Hills ; and 
the Commissioners have just determined to build a new bridge across the stream in place of 
the old wooden one. The surface rises gradually from the right bank of the Bushkill up to 
Washington street, and on this beautiful slope a number of handsome and costly villas have 
been built. The grounds have been tastefully arranged, adonied with shrubbery, making 
homes that can hardly be surpassed in beauty. William Laubach, T. L. McKeen, R. and H. 
Simon, Jacob Hay and William Heller have made their homes in this part of the handsome 
little valley. Mr. Joseph T. Williams, who lives here, is a warm friend of William Penn, 
and speaks of making a small park, in the centre of which he will place a statue of the 
kind-hearted Quaker in the attitude of shaking hands with the red man. 

The next mill, which formerly belonged to Joseph Herster, is now one of Williams' 
mineral mills. The next above was Sciple's mill, latterly owned by a Mr. Michael, now 
by Gearhart as a grist mill. The next was James Thompson's mill, now Tilghman Kep- 
ler's flour mill. There was a distillery connecled with it. Herster and Col. Samuel 
Yohe also had distilleries. The next mill was owned by Nathaniel Michler, who also 
had a distillery. The next was owned b>- Kemmerer. The next was Messinger's clover 
mill, now Messinger's flour mill. The next was Judge Wagner's upper mill, now owned 
by Mrs. Newlin, of Philadelphia, a granddaughter. The next was W^oodring's mill at 
Stockertown. The next was Friedensthall's. The next mill was built and owned by 



84 THE HISTORY OF 

Jacob Hartzell. This array of mills and distilleries will give the present generation some 
idea of the extent of business that was done in this valley and brought into Easton from 
1820 till canals and railroads came into adlivity. There were six distilleries which used 
one thousand bushels of grain daily, and produced four gallons of whiskey to the bushel. 
This would give four thousand gallons daily, twenty-eight thousand gallons per week, one 
million, four hundred and fifty-six thousand gallons annually. Mr. Davis said that whiskey 
sold for twenty-two to forty cents per gallon. He thought thirty cents would be a fair 
average. This would produce an annual income of four hundred and thirty-six thousand 
and eight hundred dollars. The rise and fall in the price of whiskey was caused by the 
difference in the amount of burning fluid used in summer and winter. The whiskey was 
mixed with turpentine, and used for illuminating purposes, until the coal oil wells were 
discovered. The refuse grain was used to feed hogs, and as one bushel would feed five 
hogs, it is an easy matter to estimate the number that might be raised in the valley. 
These busy mills, these smoking distilleries, that great drove of swine, that great com- 
pany of teams and teamsters, the busy Durham boats, the sixteen or eighteen hotels filled 
with farmers from the distant farms, the busy merchants buying up the grain and dealing 
out their goods to the returning farmers, that great procession of teams passing up North- 
ampton street, sixty in a single line * — all these will give us a pi(?lure of the business of 
Easton in those days. There are a few old men now walking in the lengthening shadows 
of life's evening, who look back to those, in their minds, halcyon days of Easton's life, 
with mingled feelings of sadness and pleasure. The same creek rushes along its rocky 
bed with its gurgling music, and auon tumbling over its artificial water-falls, reflecting 
the rays of the sun like burnished silver. The same old mills stand in their places, 
changed by the hand of improvement. The same rocky crags are standing on the water's 
banks, like quiet sentinels watching the progress of time, and guarding the interests of 
the lovely vale, so like their former selves that the spirits of the past age would easily 
recognize the scenes of their manly toil. But the Hersters, Mixsells, Ihries, Kichlines, 
Wagners, Arndts, Thompsons, have bowed to the resistless touch of death, and others 
listen to the busy whirl of the machinery and obtain their livelihood from the same roll- 
ing stream that served those who have gone before. 

To one passing up the valley at the present day it is pleasant to observe the life and 
atlivity and the enterprise of those who now manage the business. The author visited a 
few of the mills above Lehidlon. At Gerhart's mill they not only grind grain, but they 
manufadlure the "French burr mill stones." They have four run of stone, and use a 
new bolting chest; the old process of flour-making, and the old fashioned breast wheel is 
used. The roller process is to be introduced this spring. This mill grinds one hundred 
and twenty bushels a day. The next mill visited was Kepler's. The rollers are used, and 
five run of stone. This was formerly James Thompson's mill, to which a distillery 
was attached which used two hundred bushels of grain daily. The capacity of the mill 
is now sixty-five barrels. The next mill visited was that of Jacob Walter. This mill 
has the new process; five run of stone; capacity-, one hundred barrels per day, and 
has a water-fall of ten feet. It is the old Arndt mill, which Jacob Arndt purchased 
of Mr. Jones, in 1760, and was the first mill built on the stream. In this spot the old Ger- 
man patriot passed many happy days, and now quietly sleeps on the hill, near the church 

* Dr. (rreen said, to the writer, he had seen sixty teams in one procession passing np Northampton street. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 85 

called b}' his name. Not having time to call upon all the mills in passing up the stream, the 
author called at the flourishing establishment known as the Empire Agricultural Works at 
vStockertown. This industry was established by S. S. Messinger, in 1857. He began 
the enterprise with small buildings, and an investment of eight hundred dollars, employ- 
ing one moulder and one machinist. In 1861 the buildings were enlarged, increasing 
the facilities for manufacfturing; and threshing, mowing and reaping machines had been 
added, and capital increased to about four thou.sand dollars. In 1873, G. Frank Messinger 
was taken into the finn, which then employed thirty hands, with an investment of over 
forty thousand dollars. In 1883, a machine shop, 48x98, four stories high, and a moulding 
shop or foundry, 40x70 feet were ere6led. At the present time the firm is engaged in the 
manufa(5lure of mowers, reapers, twine-binders, horse powers, threshers and cleaners, and 
other fanning implements; employing seventy-five hands, and the capital invested nearly 
one hundred and forty thousand dollars. A flourishing village is springing up around them. 
The name of Messinger has long been known in and around Easton, and is of Switz origin. 
The great grandfather of S. S. Messinger was born in Switzerland in 17 19, and came to 
this country in 1744. The grandfather, Michael Messinger, was born in 1759, in Forks, 
now Palmer township, in the place called Jacob Walter's upper mill. George W. Mes- 
singer, the father of Samuel, was born in 1797, in Palmer township, in a localitv 
known by the name of Messinger since 1872. 

The writer has taken a good deal of pains to ascertain, as nearly as pradlicable, the 
difference in altitude between the mill-dams at Stockertown and the Delaware at Easton. 
The water-fall of all the mills visited was carefully noted, and one of the millers, well 
acquainted with the mills above, gave the amount of fall at each mill — the united fall of 
all the dams being 167 feet. Mr. Williams, who accompanied the writer to Stockertown, 
helped to form an idea of the lost power between the several dams and the dead water 
below them, and a conclusion was reached that it amounted in altitude to about fifty 
feet. This may be nearly correal, and added to the fall of the several dams would 
make two hundred and seventeen feet. The average water-fall is thirty-two and a third 
feet to the mile. Count Zinzendorf crossed this stream in 1742, and found the name to be 
Lehiclon. It was also called Tatamy's creek, Lefevre's creek, and more recently Lehi6ton, 
and Bushkill, or Bush river, as Kill properly means river. It will thus be seen that the 
names of Lehigh and Lehicfton have not the slightest relation to each other. It is a matter 
of interest to know the altitude of Easton above tide-water. It is found, by examining the 
survey of the Delaware canal, that the lockage is 162.05 feet, and this fixes the altitude of 
Easton, an average fall of two and seven tenths feet. The History of Luzerne County, page 
169, says, "the Lehigh river rises in Luzerne and Wayne counties; flows one hundred miles 
southwest, and unites with the Delaware at Easton. Its headwaters are one thousand eight 
hundred and eighty-two feet above tide, and has an average fall of seventeen feet to the mile. ' ' 
The History of the Moravian Church, page 23, says: The original name of this river was 
''' Lcchau-u'cki, abbreviated by the Germans in Lecha, and corrupted by the English into 
Lehigh." A few years ago Professor Coffin made a careful survey to ascertain the height 
of the hills around Easton above tide-water. He found the summit of Mount Olympus, 
the highest point north of the college campus, to be seven hundred and fifty-two feet. 
(Jne hundred and sixty-two feet taken from seven hundred and fifty-two feet, leaves the 
height of Mount Olvmpus to be five hundred and ninety feet above the surface of the 



86 THE HISTORY OF 

Delaware. It seems difficult to close this chapter without referring to the beauty of the 
scenery of the Bushkill. If ever there was singular truthfulness in the expression, 
' ' Distance lends enchantment to the scene, ' ' we seem to find it so in the scener\' along 
this busy little valley. Those born and reared amid these wild and fantastic beauties 
pass along the busy whirl of life without stopping to admire these mountain crags and 
rocky battlements reared by the Creator's hands. Here and there one of our citizens will 
pause and admire, as he stands on some eminence, the wild, irregular display of hills and 
valleys and mountains, and give expression to his emotions as his eyes run over the glories 
of the landscape. But the stranger of taste gazes and admires, and never forgets these 
beautiful exhibitions of the wisdom and power of the Divine Architecfl. It is the theory 
of geologists, that such gaps as that of the Delaware, and Lehidlon Pass on the Bushkill, 
are the effecfl of river erosions ; and the close observer will have his faith somewhat 
shaken in the theory if he will ramble up our little valley. But, leaving that question 
for geologists to settle, let us take a walk up the valley whose banks have so often been 
trodden by the feet of the old Indian chief who clung so faithfully to the warm-hearted 
Brainerd, and who buried his hatchet and put away his scalping knife when the waters 
of Christian baptism fell upon his dxisky brow. If the stranger should attempt to examine 
the scenery along the stream, he would be interested in the appearance of the abrupt sides 
of Mount Lafayette rising nearly two hundred feet, and the gentle slope of the opposite 
bank where the buildings of Easton crowd close to the shore. He would pass but a short 
distance, and find Mount Jefferson, on whose summit buildings have been erected, to be 
of equal altitude, and whose precipitous side, facing the stream on the opposite bank, is 
almost perpendicular. It is rare that such rugged, rocky heights are found on streams so 
small and so near large populations. This wild, rocky eminence is of solid limestone. Fol- 
lowing the stream we turn to the right, at an angle of 90°. The stream, dammed below, 
is as smooth as glass, from whose bank the land surface gradually rises to the beautiful 
City of the Dead, while on the right we again pass under another over-shadowing mountain 
whose sides give evidence of the mighty upheaving forces which have broken these limestone 
ledges into fantastic shapes. Here are Wagner's mills on our left, and the old family 
mansion, nearly a hundred years old. Joys and sorrows have swept over the family circle 
whose members sleep so quietly near by. And now the music of this beautiful water- 
fall strikes our ears, and it is none the less beautiful because it is artificial. The mountain 
is covered with trees and shrubbery clothed with the fresh, green tints of spring-time. 
The low rumbling of the mills, the dashing of the falling water, the joyous notes of the 
birds, the sighing of the winds through the forest trees, all help to make this a most 
charming spot for the lover of nature to hold communion with her in her simple and most 
lovely forms. We turn again at an equal angle to the left. Just across the stream is a 
beautiful forest; not a tree should ever be touched by the axe. Easton should see to it 
that it is preser\'ed for a public park. As Easton increases in population, and "lovely 
Lafayette" expands in her future growth, every rod of this valley will become classic 
ground. It will be very difficult to find a more beautiful drive-way than this can be made. 
At this point the Chestnut Hills crowd close to the road-way, sometimes in lofty lime- 
stone ledges, and anon retreating up the beautiful green slopes to the height of five hun- 
dred feet. At Lehi(fton pass, the range is abruptly severed, and a large mass of rock has 
been removed to make it more safe for sfeneral travel. The children take a good deal of 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 87 

interest in visiting this pass. There are two caves here, called big devil's cave and little 
devil's cave; one on each side of the river. And there is an idea among the children that 
the two caves are iinited by a passage under the stream, bnt none of them have ever ven- 
tnred to explore its dark passage ways. Emerging from the Lehi6lon pass on our way up 
the stream, there is much of beauty in the varj'ing landscape. As we approach Mes- 
singer's manufadluring establishment, the abruptness of the hills disappears, and the 
valley spreads out in well cultivated fields, gradually rising on either side of the stream; 
beautiful farms, comfortable dwellings, and happ)- homes are scattered over the scene. 
Stockertown is near at hand, the old Forks Church not far away, and the bur\-ing ground 
of this church contains the remains of the father of the late eminent Dr. Gross. In this 
part of the valley Dr. Gross spent the days of his boyhood. He was one of the early 
teachers in Lafayette College. He made the autopsy of the body of Getter's wife, and 
was a witness in the trial of Getter. Dr. Gross was an honor to his profession, a finished 
scholar, a genial gentleman, who had obtained a world-wide reputation long before his 
quite recent death. A railroad is already graded to near Messinger's mills. The interest 
of commerce may demand it, but the lovers of nature would be sorry to see the beautiful 
valley marred by the presence of a railroad. 

Note. — Just as this number was about going to press the author found a copy of Heckewelder's Indian 
names. In it the names of the Delaware, Lehigh and Bushkill are found. Delaware river — "Lenapewihituk, 
Indian riiri; and Kithanne, the largest river in that part of the country." " Lehikton ; Leheighton ; 
Lehi(5lon ; Lawithanne — the proper name for the Bush Kill by Easton. The word signifies a stream between 
others." "Lehigh ; Lecha; neither of these words was the proper name for this river, which was only known 
to the Indians by the great crossing place on it. The Indians have three general words by which they distin- 
guish tliat which resembles a fork. They say Lechaucivki, or Leehainuekink, when they speak of the country 
we call the forks." It looks verv- much as if Zinzindorf 's derivation of the name Lehigh was the corre<5t one. 
"Eastontown — Lechauwitank, the tonni within the forks." 



THE FATE OF A FLIRT OF THE OLDEN TIME. 

" Whether the charmer sinner it, or saint it. 
If folly grow romantic, I must paint it." — POPE. 

The following incident, which occurred years ago, will throw a light upon the man- 
ners of olden times in the quiet village of Easton. The story was written many years 
since by Mrs. E. F. Ellet, for Godey's Lady's Book, and later was published in the History 
of the Lehigh Valley. Knowing that it will prove interesting reading, not only from the 
facl of its being a faithful narrative, but from its having emanated from the pen of so 
distinguished a writer, we insert it here entire. The house in which the victim of the 
tale lived, stood where Thomas T. Miller's hardware store now stands, and the pond of 
water centred where Shipman's stables are, so that the sturdy German women did not 
have far to lead the object of their rage. Their sole purpose was to punish, not to mur- 
der, their vidlim. 

Some eighty years ago, the now flourishing town of Easton, on the Delaware, was but a small settlement 
in one of the remote and comparatively wild portions of Pennsj-lvania. At the present day, the compactly 
built town fills the space between the mountains and the two rivers that here form a jundtion, while their banks 
are lined with busy manufaclories and the dwellings of men. The lofty hills that rise abruptly from the ])lain. 



88 THE HISTORY OF 

or overhang the waters, are cultivated in spots; and the patches of woodland here and there seemed spared for 
the purpose of adorning the landscape, and affording secluded walks to the wanderers who love the beauty of 
nature. At the period to which our tale carries us back, the scenery of this beautiful region was not less 
enchanting, though far more wild and savage. A dense forest then covered the mountains to their rocky 
summits, and bordered the rivers for many miles; the valley, through which flows a sweet stream to mingle 
with the Delaware, was dark with the shadow of primeval woods, and the waters, untroubled by the different 
manufaftories for the uses of which their streams have since been diverted, swept in calm majesty along their 
time-worn channel, scarcely knowing the difference of seasons. Not far from the Delaware, a double row of 
low-roofed, quaint-looking stone houses formed the most populous part of the settlement. Other dwellings, 
scattered about in different direAions, were built in the same style, and evidently inhabited by the same sturdy 
and primitive Dutch population. Many of these houses are still standing, and give a charaifler to the appearance 
of the whole place. It has been often remarked how unchangingly, from one generation to another, the habits 
of the Dutch people are preserved by their descendants, giving a monotony to their life and manners, while 
their more mutable neighbors are yielding themselves, day by day, to the law of progress. This inveterate 
attachment to the old order of things, and aversion to innovations, peculiar to their nation, kept the ancient 
inhabitants of Easton in the same condition with their forefathers, notwithstanding the improvements introduced 
from European cities into other parts of the colon)-. Philadelphia, though at that time but a \'illage in com- 
parison to what it is now, was looked upon as a place of luxury and corruption dangerous to the morals of 
youth. Few of the families composing the settlement at Easton had ever been there, or had \-isited any other 
of the provincial cities. They sought no intercourse with the world's great Babel, content with the information 
that reached them regularly once a week with the newspapers brought by the post-boy, which were loaned to 
the neighbors in turn by the few who received them. Now and then, it is true, when the business of the day 
was over, a number of men might be seen seated in the large sitting-room of the old stone tavern, or on the 
veranda, wearing their low-crowned, broad-brimmed hats, smoking their pipes, and discussing events of which 
the rumor had reached them, when these were more stirring than common. But these discussions were always 
condndled quietly, and without the exhibition of any feeling of partisanship. They were terminated at a very 
early hour, all thought of political matters being usually dismissed with the last puff of their pipes, as the 
worthy mynheers took their way homewards. 

As little did the love of change prevail among the good /'r(?«5 of that day. They were of the class described 
by a distinguished chronicler, who "stayed at home, read the Bible, and wore frocks." They wore the same 
antiquated quilted caps and parti-colored homespun gowns, that were in fashion in the days of the renowned 
Wouter Van Twiller ; their pockets were always filled with work and the implements of industry, and their own 
gowns and their husbands' coats were exclusively of domestic manufafture. In cleanliness and thrifty house- 
wifery, they were excelled b\' none who had gone before, or who came after them. The well-scoured stoops 
and entries, fresh and immaculate ever)- morning, attested the neatness prevailing throughout the dwellings. 
The precise order that reigned within, in the departments of kitchen, parlor, and chamber, could not be dis- 
turbed by any out-of-door commotion. Cleanliness and contentment were the cares of the household. The 
tables were spread with the abundance of the good old time, and not small was the pride of those ministering 
dames in setting forth the viands prepared by their own industrious hands. It must not be supposed that all 
their care and frugality were inconsistent with the dear exercise of hospitality, or other social virtues usually 
praftised in every female community. If the \dsits paid from house to house were less frequent than in modern 
times, there was the same generous interest in the concerns of others, and the same desire in each to save her 
neighbor trouble by kindly taking the management of affairs upon herself, evinced by so many individuals of 
the present day. In short, the domestic police of Easton, at that remote period, was apparently as remarkable 
for vigilance and severity in hunting out offenders as it has proved to be in times of more modern civilization. 

The arrival of new residents from the city was an event of importance enough in itself to cause no small 
stir in that quiet communit}-. The rumor that a small house, piifluresquely situated at the edge of a wood some 
distance from the village, was being fitted up for the new comers, was soon spread abroad, and gave rise to many 
conjecflures and surmises. The new furniture that paraded in wagons before the astonished eves of the settlers, 
was different from any that had been seen before ; and, though it would have been thought simple enough, or 
even rude, at the present day, exhibited too much of metropolitan taste and luxury to meet their approval. 
Then a gardener was employed several days to set in order the surrounding plot of ground, and set out rose 
bushes, and ornamental plants ; the fence was painted gayly, and the inclosure secured hy a neat gate. A few 
days after, a light traveling wagon brought the tenants to the abode prepared for them. Within the memory 
of a generation, hardly any occurrence had taken place which excited so much curiosity. The doors and win- 
dows were crowded with gazers ; and the younger part of the population were hardly restrained by parental 



EASTOjV, PENN'A. 89 

authority from rushing after the equipage. The female, who sat with a boy on the back seat, wore a thick veil ; 
but the pleasant face of a middle-aged man, who looked about him, and bowed courteously to the different 
groups, attra<5led much attention. The man who drove had a jolly English face, betokening a very communi- 
cative disposition ; nor was the promise broken to the hope ; for that ver^' evening the same personage was 
seated among a few grave-looking Dutchmen who lingered at the tavern, dealing out his information liberally 
to such as chose to question him. The new comer, it appeared, was a member of the Colonial Assembly, and 
had brought his family to rusticate for a season on the banks of the Delaware. This famiU- consisted of his 
English wife, and a son about seven years old. They had been accustomed, he said, to the society of the rich and 
gay, both in Philadelphia and in Europe, ha\-ing spent some time in Paris before their coming to this country. 

The information given by the loquacious driver, who seemed to think the village not a little honored in so 
distinguished an accession to its inhabitants, produced no favorable impression. The honest mynheers, how- 
ever, were little inclined to be hasty in their judgment. They preferred consulting their wives, who waited with 
no little patience for the Sabbath morning, expeAing them to have a full opportunity of criticizing their new 
iieighbors. 

They were doomed to disappointment ; none of the famih- was at the place of meeting, although the 
practice of church-going was one so time-honored, that a journey of ten miles on foot to attend religious service 
was thought nothing of, and few, even of the most worldly-minded, ventured on an omission. The non-appear- 
ance of the strangers was a dark omen. The next day, however, the dames of the settlement had an oppor- 
tunity of seeing Mrs. AV'inton — for so I shall call her, not choosing to give her real name — as she came out to 
purchase a few articles of kitchen furniture. Her style of dress was altogether different from theirs. Instead 
of the hair pomatumed back from the forehead, she wore it in natural ringlets ; instead of the short petticoats 
in vogue among the Dutch dames, a long and flowing skirt set off to advatitage a figure of remarkable grace. 
At the first glance, one could not but acknowledge her singular beauty. Her form was faultless in symmetry, 
and her features exquisitely regular ; the complexion being of a clear brown, set off by luxuriant black hair, 
and a pair of brilliant dark eyes. The expression of these was not devoid of a certain fascination, though it 
had something to excite distrust in the simple-minded fair ones who measured the claims of the stranger to 
admiration. They could not help thinking there was a want of innate modest}' in the bold, restless wanderings 
of those eyes, bright as they were, and in the perfecfl self-possession the English woman showed in her some- 
what haughty carriage. Her voice, too, though melodious, was not low in its tones, and her laugh was merry, 
and frequently heard. In short, she appeared, to the untutored judgment of the dames of the Nnllage, decidedly 
wanting in reser\-e, and the softness natural to joiith in woman. While they shook their heads, and were shy 
of conversation with her, it was not a little wonderful to notice the different effeA produced on their spouses. 
The honest Dutchmen surveyed the handsome stranger with undisguised admiration, evinced at first by a pro- 
longed stare, and on after occasions by such rough courtesy as they found opportunity of showing, with alacrity 
offering to her any little service that neighbors might render. The women, on the other hand, became more 
and more suspicious of her outlandish gear and her bewitching smiles, lavished with such profusion upon all 
who came near her. Her charms, in their eyes, were so many sins, which they were inclined to see her expiate, 
before they relented so far as to extend toward her the ci\'ilities of neighborhood. The more their husbands 
praised her, the more they stood aloof ; and, for weeks after the family had become settled, scarcely any com- 
munication of a friendly nature had taken place between her and any of the female population. 

Little, however, did the English woman appear to care for negleA on the part of those she e\-idently 
thought much inferior to herself She had plenty of company, such as suited her taste, and no lack of agreea- 
ble employment, notwithstanding her persistence in a habit which shocked still more the prejudices of her 
worthy neighbors — of leaving her household labor to a servant. She made acquaintance with all who relished 
her lively conversation, and took much pleasure in exciting, by her eccentric manners, the astonishment of her 
long-queued admirers. She was always affable, and not only invited those she liked to \-isit her without cere- 
mony, but called upon them for any extra ser\-ice she required. 

It was on one of the brightest days in October that Mrs. Winton was riding with her son along a path lead- 
ing through the forest up the Delaware. The road wound at the base of a mountain, bordering the river closely, 
and was flanked in some places by precipitous rocks, overgrown with shrubs, and shaded b\- overhanging trees. 
The wealth of foliage appeared to greater advantage, touched with the rich tints of autumn — 

' ' With hues more gay 
Than when the flow'rets bloomed, the trees are drest ; 

How gorgeous are their draperies ! green and gold. 
Scarlet and crimson ! like the glittering vest 

Of Israel's priesthood, glorious to behold ! 



go THE HISTORY OF 

See yonder towering hill, with forests clad, 

How bright its mantle of a thousand dyes ! 
Edged with a silver band, the stream, that glad. 

But silent, winds around its base." 

It can hardly be known if the romantic beauty of the scene, which presented itself by glimpses through 
the foliage, the bright calm river, the wooded hills and slopes beyond, and the village lying in the lap of the 
savage forest, called forth as much admiration from those who gazed, as it has since from spirits attuned to a 
vivid sense of the loveliness of nature. The sudden flight of a bird from the bushes startled the horse, and, 
dashing quickly to one side, he stood on the sheer edge of the precipice overlooking the water. The next 
plunge might have been a fatal one, but that the bridle was instantly seized by the strong ami of a man who 
sprang from the concealment of the trees. Checking the frightened animal, he assisted the dame and her son 
to dismount, and then led the horse for them to less dangerous ground. In the friendly conversation that fol- 
lowed, the English woman put forth all her powers of pleasing ; for the man was known already to her for one 
of the most respeiflable of the settlers, though he had never yet sought her society. His little service was 
rewarded by a cordial invitation, which was soon followed by a visit, to her house. 

To make a long storj- short, not many weeks had passed before this neighbor was an almost daily \'isitor ; 
and, to the surprise and concern of the whole village, his example was in time followed by many others of 
those who might have been called the gentry of Easton. It became evident that the handsome stranger was a 
coquette of the most unscrupulous sort ; that she was passionately fond of the admiration of the other sex, and 
was determined to exaifl the tribute due her charms, even from the sons of the wilderness. She flirted desper- 
ately with one after another, contriving to impress each with the idea that he was the happy individual espe- 
cially favored by her smiles. Her manners and conversation showed less and less regard for the opinion of 
others, or the rules of propriety. The effetfl of such a course of condudl in a community so simple and old- 
fashioned in their customs, so utterly unused to any such broad defiance of censure, may be more easily ima- 
gined than described. How the men were flattered and intoxicated in their admiration for the beautiful siren, 
and their lessons in an art so new to them as gallantry ; how the women were amazed out of their propriety, can 
be conceived without the aid of philosophy. 

Things were bad enough as they were ; but when the time came for Mr. Winton to depart and take his 
place in the Assembly, the change was for the worse. His handsome wife was left, with only her son, in Easton 
for the winter. Her behavior was now more scandalous than ever, and soon a total avoidance of her by every 
other female in the place attested their indignation. The coquette evidently held them in great scorn, while 
she continued to receive, in a still more marked and offensive manner, the attentions of the husbands, whom, 
she boasted, she had taught they had hearts under their linsey-woolsey coats. Long walks and rides through 
the woods, attended always by some one who had owned the power of her beauty, set public opinion wholly at 
defiance ; and the company at her fireside, evening after evening, was well known to be not such as became a 
wife and mother to receive. 

Should this history of plain, unvarnished fatfl chance to meet the eye of any fair trifler, who has been 
tempted to invite or welcome such homage, let her pause and remember that the wrath of the injured wives of 
Easton was but such as nature must rouse in the bosom of the virtuous in all ages and countries ; and that 
tragedies as deep as that to which it led have grown from the like cause, and may still do so at any period of 
civilization. 

The winter months passed, and spring came to set loose the .streams, and fill the woods with tender bloom 
and verdure. But the anger of the justly irritated dames of Easton had gathered strength with time. Scarce 
one among the most conspicuous of the neighborhood but had particular reason to have their common enemy 
for the alienated affeAions and monopolized time of her husband, so faithful to his duties before this fatal 
enchantment. Complaints were made by one to another, and strange stories told, which, of course, lost noth- 
ing in their circulation from mouth to mouth. What wonder was it that the mysterious influence exercised by 
the strange woman should be attributed to witchcraft? What wonder that she should be judged to hold inter- 
course with e\-il spirits, and to receive from them the power by which she subdued men to her sway ? 

Late in the afternoon of a beautiful day in the early part of June, two or three of the matrons of the village 
stationed themselves near the woods by which stood the house of Mrs. Winton. Not far from this was a small 
pond, where the boys amused themselves in fishing, or bathed during the heats of summer. The spot once 
occupied by this little body of water is now the central portion of tlie town, and covered with neat buildings of 
brick and .stone. 

The women had come forth to watch; nor was their vigilance long unrewarded. They saw Mrs. Winton, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 91 

accompanied by one of her gallants, dressed with a care that showed his anxiety to please, walking slowly along 
the borders of the woods. The sun had set, and the gray shadows of twilight were creeping over the land- 
scape ; vet it was e\'idently not her intention to return home. As it grew darker, the two entered the woods, 
the female taking the arm of her companion, and presently both disappeared. 

"There he goes !" exclaimed one of the women who watched, with fierce anger in her looks, for it was her 
husband she had seen. "I knew it; I knew he spent even,- evening with her!" 

"Shall we follow them?" asked the other. 

"No ! no ! let us go home quick !" was the answer. 

Such a scene as the night witnessed was never before enadled in that quiet village. At a late hour there 
was a meeting of many of the matrons in the house of one of their number. The curtains were closely drawn ; 
the light was so dim that the faces of those who whispered together could scarcelyy be discerned. There was 
something fearful in the assemblage, at such an unwonted time, of those orderly housewives, so unaccustomed 
ever to leave their homes after dusk. The circumstance of their meeting alone betokened something uncom- 
mon in agitation. Still more did the silence, hushed and breathless at intervals, the eager, but suppressed 
whispering, the rapid gestures, the general air of determination mingled wnth caution. It struck midnight ; 
they made signs one to another, and the light was extinguished. 

It was perhaps an hour or more after, when the same band of women left the house, and took their way, in 
profound silence, along the road leading out of the village. By a roundabout course, skirting the small body 
of water above mentioned, they came to the border of the woods. Just then the waning moon rose above the 
forest tops, shedding a faint light over hill and stream. It could then be seen that the females all wore a kind 
of mask of black stuff. Their course was diredled towards the English woman's house, which they approached 
with stealthy and noiseless steps. 

A few moments of silence passed, after they had disappeared, and then a wild shriek was heard, and others 
fainter and fainter, like the voice of one in agony struggling to cry out, and stifled by powerful hands. The 
women rushed from the woods, dragging with them their helpless \'i(5lim, whom they had gagged, so that she 
could not even supplicate their mercy. Another cry was presently heard — the wail of a terrified child. The 
little boy, roused from sleep by the screams of his mother, ran towards her captors, and throwing himself on 
his knees, begged for her in piteous accents and with streaming tears. 

"Take him away!" cried several together; and one of their number, snatching up the child, ran off with 
him at her utmost speed, and did not return. 

The others proceeded quickly to their mission of vengeance. Dragging the helpless dame to the pond, 
they rushed into it, heedless of risk to themselves, till they stood in deep water. Then each, in turn, seizing 
her enemy by the shoulders, plunged her in, head and all, crying as she did .so, "This is for my husband!" 
"And this for mine!" "This for mine!" was echoed, with the plunges, in quick succession, till the work of 
retribution was accomplished, and the party hurried to shore. 

Startled by a noise as of some one approaching, the disguised avengers fled, leaving their \-i(flim on the 
bank, and lost no time in hastening homeward. The dawn of day disclosed a dreadful catastrophe : Dame 
Winton was found dead beside the water. There was evidence enough that she had perished, not by accident, 
but violence. Who could have done the deed ? 

The occurrence caused great commotion in Easton, as it was but natural it should ; but it was never dis- 
covered with certainty who were the perpetrators of the murder. Suspicion fell on several ; but they were 
prudent enough to keep silence, and nothing could be proved against them. Perhaps the more prominent 
among the men, who should have taken upon themselves the investigation of the affair, had their own reasons 
for passing it over rather slightly. It was beyond doubt, too, that actual nnirder had not been designed by the 
aclors in the tragedy ; but simply the punishment assigned to witchcraft by popular usage. So the matter was 
not long agitated, though it was for many years a subject of conversation among those who had no interest in 
hushing it up ; and the story served as a warning to give point to the lessons of careful mothers. 

It was for a long time believed that the ghost of the unfortunate English woman haunted the spot where 
she had died. Nor did the belief cease to prevail long after the pond was drained, and the woods felled, and 
the space built over. A stable belonging to a gentleman with whom I am acquainted stands near the place. I 
have heard him relate how one of his servants, who had never heard the story had rushed in one night, much 
alarmed, to say that he had seen a female figure, in old-fashioned cap and white gown, standing at the door of 
the stable. Another friend, who resides near, was told by his domestic that a strange woman had stood at the 
back gate, who had suddenly disappeared when asked who she was. Thus there seems ground enough to 
excuse the belief, even now prevalent among the common people in Easton, that the spirit still walks at night 
about that porton of the town. 



92 THE HISTORY OF 

ARNDT FAMILY. 

Bv the inscription on the tombstone in the grave-yard at the Arndt Chnrch we learn 
that Jacob Arndt was born in Germany, March 12, 1725. The father of Jacob was Bern- 
hard Arndt. Tlie family moved to Pennsylvania, and settled in Bucks county, when 
Jacob was quite young. The inscription tells us that Jacob Arndt served his God and 
and king faithfully, and in and after the Revolution he served the republic. When he 
was twenty-six years old he commanded a company of volunteers, and marched with King 
Teedyuscung from Bethlehem to Fort Allen (Col. Rec, pages 267 and 723) in 1756-1757. 
He rose to the distinction of Major, and was the commander of the first company of vol- 
unteers raised in Easton, in the Pontiac war, in 1763. In 1760, Jacob Arndt purchased a 
mill property, the first in the valley of the Bushkill, of John Jones. The mill is now 
owned by Jacob Walter, but is still known by the name of Arndt's mill, near the old church 
which bears his name. The Committee of Safety was elected by qualified voters, and 
Jacob Arndt's name was third on the list. When the Standing Committee was appointed, 
which was to have the business principally in hand, Jacob Arndt's name was first from 
Forks township. The question was put, "shall we consider all who will not join in asso- 
ciation with us as enemies, and withdraw all business relations with them?" The answer 
was in the affirmative, and unanimous. Mr. Arndt stood firm in the darkest and most 
painful hours of that eventful struggle, which was to procure freedom for a continent. 
Few names shine more brightly in that glorious contest than that of Jacob Arndt. He 
deserves a much prouder monument than the humble one which marks his grave. Mr. 
Arndt, George Taylor, Peter Kichline, John Okely, and Lewis Gordon were ele<5led mem- 
bers of the convention to form a constitution for tlie state in 1774. In 1776 he was a 
member of the Executive Council of the state. He removed to Easton in 1796, from his 
mill. His son John wrote to Dr. Gross concerning the health of his father in 1803, 
saying: "Respecfling his health it is tolerable for one of his age, but time has and con- 
tinues to press heavily upon him. His eyesight is almost gone; his feet begin to get 
weak, and cannot, for a long time, bear the weight of his body; but his appetite is good, 
and to live happy and contented depends upon himself" He died in 1805. It is pleasant 
to stand by the grave of such an one; it seems like holy ground. 

His son John sleeps close by his side; a worthy son of a noble sire. He was born, 
June 5, 1748, and was twenty-eight years of age when the Declaration of Independence 
was adopted. He entered into the contest with the same zeal which characterized his 
father. When the news came to town that the Declaration of Independence was adopted, 
the little town was soon in great commotion. No one need doubt long on which side the 
sturdy Germans would stand. Captain Abraham Labar, with his company, paraded the 
streets, with drums beating and the shrill notes of the fife ringing among the hills; the new 
flag was thrown to the breeze, and the whole population of the town fell into line. 
"They met in the Court House, where the Declaration of Independence was read by 
Robert Levers." The town consisted, at this time, of about seventy houses, mostly of 
one-story log houses. Washington had driven the English Fleet out of Boston harbor, 
and he supposed New York would next be in danger. A company was immediately 
formed in Northampton count)-, numbering eighty-seven men, and John Arndt was the 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



93 



Captain and Peter Kichline Second Lieutenant. The company waited some days for arms, 
but the Committee of Safety ordered them to march to the army of General Wash- 
ington, with or without arms, and arms were supplied at the front. The company obeyed, 
and was in the thickest of the fight. The company rallied at Elizabethtown next day, 
having only thirty-three men. Captain Arndt was severely wounded, and both he and 
Kichline were taken prisoners. After his release from confinement he returned to 
Easton, in September, 1780, and was appointed a commissary with David Deshler for 
supplying the sick and disabled troops with the necessaries of life — not only to supply 
the sick and wounded soldiers, but widows and orphans of fallen patriots, and this was 
done with an unselfish devotion. After Captain Arndt had returned, a story was started 
by a tory to the effect that he hid behind a barn on the battle-field, to shield himself from 
British bullets. The captain brought a complaint before the Committee of Safety. A 
warrant was put into the hands of a constable, with orders to arrest the man who started 
the slander, and bring him before the Committee forthwith. The culprit was soon in their 
dread presence. He was found guilty, and was very quickly disposed of He must make 
an acknowledgment, ask the captain's pardon, promise not to repeat the story, or go to 
jail till further orders. He paid his fine and costs, made due acknowledgment, and went 
home, reflecting upon the fa(5l that he was in the midst of a Revolution, and had stern 
men to deal with. John Arndt was active through the entire course of the war, frequently in 
correspondence with the president of the commonwealth, and handled large sums of money 
for the public. He came to the front in a time which "tried men's souls." Where there 
was danger and toil, John Arndt was found. His life, his fortune and sacred honor were laid 
upon the altar of liberty. He frequently advanced money out of his own pocket to help 
on the cause of freedom. "In 1777, he was appointed Register of Wills, Recorder of 
Deeds, and Clerk of the Orphans' Court," and was an efficient member of the Committee of 
Safety. In 1783, he was eledled a representative in the Council of the Censors, to propose 
amendments to the Constitution of Pennsylvania. "In 1783, Dickinson College, at Car- 
lisle, was incorporated, of which John Arndt was appointed one of the Trustees. He 
was chosen one of the Ele(5lors of President and Vice-President of the United States, and 
cheerfully gave his vote for the illustrious Washington; was a candidate for Congress, 
but defeated by a small majority." He died in 1814, without a stain xipon his chara(5ler 
as a soldier and citizen. 

It is a gre^t pleasure to the historian to place such names where they can be plainly 
read, and their virtues remembered by the thoughtful student for generations to come. 
These two men were Germans: the first born in Fatherland; and the second, though born 
in America, had his cradle encircled by all the influences of Crennan life. He was lulled 
to sleep by the sweet German lullaby, sung by his German mother. All the stories his 
parents told him were of German life. A protestant German king was on the throne of 
England. The English people had received the fleeing Palatines with open arms and 
generously gave them a home. There seemed many reasons why they should cling to 
the English throne for protection, and be slow to lay aside their allegiance to a friendly 
German king. But strange as it may seem, the hour when the songs of freedom were 
sung, and the tocsin of war was sounded, they began to use the bullet moulds, put their 
muskets in order, and prepare for battle. They had suffered under the weight of thrones, 
and by the rough hand of religious persecution; and perhaps the\' thought the time had 



94 



THE HISTORY OF 



come when they might dispense with those costly implements of human government. 
They may have felt somewhat as the poet did when he penned the following beautiful 

lines: 

"Land of the West! beneath the Heaven 
There's not a fairer, lovelier clime ; 
Nor one to which was ever given 
A destiny more high, sublime. 

From Allegheny's base to where 

Our Western Andes prop the sky — 
The home of Freedom's hearts is there. 

And o'er it Freedom's eagles fly." 

But whatever was the reason, the German soldiers came nobly to the rescue of human 
freedom. These men ' ' pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. ' ' Their 
lives and fortunes might perish, but lionor and liberty^ never. 

Squire Benjamin Arndt, so well known to many now living, was a son of John Arndt. 
He was under arms in 1812, but not in any battle. He was a man of decided opinions, 
and did not fear to follow them to their legitimate and logical conclusions. This was well 
illustrated while living in Forks township. Joseph Ritter was nominated for governer of 
Pennsylvania. Arndt was an old line Whig, and the only one in the township; but he 
walked to the polls and cast his solitary vote with as much firmness as if he had been in the 
majority. Those were times when party work was apt to be rewarded. "To the vidlors 
belong the spoils" was the battle cry for all parties, and Benjamin Anidt stood out in lines 
too clear to be overlooked. He went to Harrisburg and asked for the position of Clerk 
of the Orphans' Court, and his request was readily granted, and the duties were well per- 
formed. That he was a man of integrity is evident from the fa(5l that, though he was a 
decided Whig, he was eledled to office by Democrats. "He was the tenth Postmaster, 
and was appointed by President Taylor, May 9, 1849." He held the office till a change 
in the administration, when President Pierce appointed John J. Herster. Mr. Arndt per- 
formed the duties of Justice of the Peace for man}' years; his office was on Sotitli Third 
street. He exhibited much the same spirit that was so conspicuous in the lives of his 
father, grandfather and great-grandfather. They were all sturdy German people, but 
they were ardent patriots; loyal to liberty; faithful to the republic. They were honorable 
in their dealings with their fellow men. There are five children of Benjamin Arndt's 
living: two sons in Oregon, and two sons and a daughter in Pennsylvania. There are 
nineteen o-randchildren. 



Lutheran Churches in Easton. 



The Arrival of Muhlenberg; His Great Work — The Old Church on the Philadelphia Road — The Union of the 
Lutheran and German Reformed Congregations in Building the Church on North Third Street — Building 
of St. John's Church; Christ Church ; Zion's Evangelical Church ; St. Paul's Church ; Colored Lutheran 
Church ; St. Peter's Evangelical Church. 




HEY clung to the name of *Gennan Reformed and Lutheran without any 
knowledge of the religions principles or duties. And soon the Macedonian 
cr\-, "Come over and help us," was heard over Europe. Lands were to 
be cleared, cabins to be built, wealth to be created out of the wilderness. 
They felt they were sheep without a shepherd, and their cry was the cry 
of distress. They were in a wilderness, living in log cabins, in the sim- 
plest possible way. Their time was occupied in daily toil. If they had 
books, the young could not read them, and the parents had not time nor 
ability to teach them. They needed preachers who could both teach and 
preach. It was to be a work of self-denial and hard toil, in a wilderness. 
Their cries reached the ears and hearts of Christian Europe. Who will 
go to Pennsylvania? was the inquir\' of Gennany and Holland. It required as much self- 
denial as it does now to go to the banks of the Congo or the Ganges. The stream of 
imigration was increasing, and the feeling of distress and religious necessity growing 
wider and deeper, and the cry for help more painful. Who will go to Pennsylvania and 
feed those hungry' flocks? But long before the people began to look for messengers to 
go and supply this pressing need, God had been preparing two men of strong nerves, 
and courageous hearts; men willing to forsake the pleasures of European ci\ilization and 
take up their abode in the forests of the new world. 

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg 

was born in the city of Einbeck of Hanover, Sept. 6, 171 1. From his seventh to his twelfth 
year he was kept constantly at school, studying the German and Latin languages and 
receiving religious instruction, and at twelve years of age he was confirmed and admitted 
to the sacraments. At this time his father died and left so little property that he was 
compelled to leave school and labor to help his mother support the family. Had his 
father left an ample fortune the name of ^Muhlenberg would not have been heard outside 
of Hanover. This early toil gave him muscular development, and a willingness to toil 
for others when God should call. Until he was twenty-one years of age he was compelled 
to labor more or less to maintain the family. At this age he resumed his studies under 
the care of his pastor. He desired to obtain a university education, but he was poor, and 
the way seemed dark. But the hand of Providence opened the way most unexpectedly: 
a scholarship was given him in the University of Cotingen, which had just been established. 

*The great influx of German population into Pennsylvania has been noticed in a pre\-ious number in connection 
with the history- of the German Reformed Church. 



96 THE HISTORY OF 

The warm desire of his heart was gratified. Up to this time he knew nothing of experi- 
mental religion. He formed unfavorable associates which retarded his progress; his 
aberration, howe\'er, was very brief. He broke loose from the surrounding dangers, and 
soon met with that remarkable change which brought him into warm sympathy with the 
experienced Christian and prepared him for the work which he afterward so successfully 
performed. In his zeal for the Master, he was soon found engaged in teaching the catechism 
to poor, negledled children. For this irregularity he was prosecuted by the government, 
but was sustained in his work. In July, 1731, while on a visit to Halle, Dr. Franke informed 
him that he had just received a request that he would send a missionary to the scattered 
Lutherans in Pennsylvania, and he proposed to Mr. Muhlenberg that he engage in the 
enterprise. He made it a matter of prayerful consideration, and after consultation with 
his most trusted friends, he concluded to accept the appointment. June 13, 1742, he set 
sail for the New World, and the new field of labor. He went by way of Charleston, and 
arrived in Philadelphia in November. Muhlenberg met a strange state of things among 
the Lutheran people. By the dearth of pastors, wolves in sheep's clothing came among the 
flock, proclaimed themselves Lutheran preachers, and ingratiated themselves into the favor 

of a confiding people. Sometimes a single remark will 
give an insight into the working of a man's soul quite 
as clearly as the associations of many days. In one of 
his reports to Halle, Muhlenberg reports the condition 
of the Lutheran people: "There is such a pitiable con- 
dition and ruin among our poor Lutheran people that 
it cannot be sufficiently wept for with tears of blood. 
1 'arents have permitted their children to grow up without 
baptism, without instriuflion and knowledge, and go 
into heathenism. So I found it when I arrived in Phila- 
delphia." In regard to Muhlenberg, Dr. Schmucker 
used the following language: "Though more than sixty 
HENRY MEixHioK ML HLKNHhRG. years havc passcd since he closed his earthly career, 
his name is still fresh and fragrant in all our churches, and his general charadleristics, 
as well as the results of his labors, are so well known that I shall be in little danger 
of mistaking in respe(?t to them. Notwithstanding several German as well as Sweedish 
Lutheran ministers had been in this country long before Mr. Muhlenberg arrived here, 
yet so a<?tive and successful was he in organizing new churches, in building up those pre- 
viously founded, and in promoting spirituality and union among them all, that he is justly 
regarded as the founder of the German Lutheran Church in America, as well as the most 
distinguished of her early divines." According to Dr. Sadtler's semi-centennial sermon, 
Muhlenberg visited the Lutheran Church in this region in 1745, in March, 1747, and 
November 23, 1749. In these visits he instru6led and confirmed quite a number of young 
people; and during the last visit he administered the Lord's supper. "He distindlly says 
there were two small congregations in existence." Easton had not received her name at 
this date, not having been surveyed till 1750. This feeling of a willingness to suffer 
privation and endure hard toil just for the love he bore to Jesus and dying men has made 
his name a tower of strength in the Lutheran Church. When we call to mind the ability 
and learning of Muhlenberg we can hardly account for his willingness to spend his life in 




E ASTON, PENN'A. 



97 



the wilds of the new world. He did what very few men of the present day can do. 
Dnring his residence in the city of New York he preached three times a day on the Sab- 
bath, in English, German and Low Dntch. He spoke the English, German, Latin, 
Holland and Sweedish langnages. He gave his heart to the cause of the struggling 
colonies, and thus settled the sympathies of the Lutheran Church in America. He suf- 
fered severely in the war of the Revolution. He was, throughout, the earnest friend of his 
adopted country, and there was no sacrifice he was not ready to make, and no peril to 
which he would not cheerfully expose himself for sustaining and carrying forward its 
interest. He was frank, outspoken in his intercourse with men. While the British had 
possession of Philadelphia, Muhlenberg was not safe in the city. His name was held in 
great suspicion by the Hessian and English officers; and they threatened with prison, torture 
and death if they could catch him. There is no doubt in the minds of the thoughtful 
but that the patriotism of the two men, Schlatter and Muhlenberg, saved Pennsjlvania 
for the cause of liberty. He died at Trappe, in Montgomery count}-, October 7, 1787, in 
the seventy-seventh year of his age. Schlatter, feeble with age, then living at Chestnut 
Hill, attended the funeral of his departed friend; and in a few years he followed. In life 
they were united; in death not long divided. 

Muhlenberg had three sons who entered the ministry. The eldest, John Peter Gabriel 
Muhlenberg, seems to have inherited the patriotism of his father. An incident in his life 
is told which illustrates this truth. He was pastor of a large Lutheran Church in Vir- 
ginia; and Washington solicited him to take command of a regiment and he consented. 
He preached his farewell sermon to a large congregation; and during the impassioned 
deliver}-, he exclaimed in the language of Holy Writ: "There is a time for all things; 
there is a time to preach, and a time to pray, and there is also a time to fight, and that 
time has come." When he had pronounced the Benedi(ilion and laid aside his silken robe, 
he stood before his congregation in the full uniform of a colonel; and marching to the door 
of the church ordered the drum to beat for recruits, and three hundred of his congre- 
gation enrolled for the service. 

Conrad Weiser, having been for many years one of the most prominent men in the early 
Colonial histor}' of Pennsylvania, and having been the father-in-law of Muhlenberg, it 
seems proper to introduce a brief notice of him at this point. He was at Easton in con- 
ne6lion with the Indian treaties. He led a company of forty soldiers from Heidelberg to 
Easton to keep the Indians in subjecftion at one of the largest gatherings of those wild 
nations. In the History of the Morav'ian Church we have the following account of this 
good man: "Conrad Weiser, for more than twenty years a6ling Interpreter to the Province 
of Pennsylvania, was born in 1696 in Wurtemberg. In 17 10 he accompanied his parents to 
America, with a Colony of Palatines, who imigrated to New York under the auspices of 
Queen Anne, and who were settled in a body on Livingston Manor, in Columbia county. 
In 1 7 13 the Weiser and one hundred and fifty other families removed to Schoharie, in tlie 
Mohawk country, where young Conrad was schooled in the language which enabled him 
later in life to render invaluable services to the Proprietaries' Governors of Pennsylvania. 
In 1729 he followed his countrA'inen to Swatara and Tulpehocken, whither numbers of 
them had removed a few years before, and here he began a fann in Heidelberg township, 
Berks county. His fluency in the Mohawk recommended him to the notice of the Proprie- 
taries' .\gents; and bv the special request of deputies of tlie Six Nations, met in conference 



98 THE HISTORY OF 

with Governor Patrick Gordon, at Philadelphia, in 1732, he was by him appointed Inter- 
preter for that Confederation. From this time his career was identified with the history 
of the Province in all its relations with the Indians. In 1734 he was appointed a Justice 
of the Peace, and in the old French war was commissioned Colonel of all forces raised 
west of the Susquehanna." He was a warm friend of the Moravians, though he never 
joined that church. He contributed freely to sustain their missions to the Indians, with 
whose children he had spent his youthful days in the valley of the Mohawk. He was a 
warm friend to those dusky children with whom he played in boyhood, and he was a warm 
friend to them in manhood, when they were among the leading warriors of the continent. 
He was the idol of the red man, and the trusted Interpreter and Diplomatist for the white 
man. He filled a place which few were fitted to fill, and he performed his duties in a way 
which none could excel. He did not like the creed of the Moravians, but admired their 
pradlices; the creeds of other denominations were more in harmony with his judgment, 
but he disliked their methods. While he was a firm believer in Christianity, he was not 
a particular friend of any denomination. 



In giving the history of this family of churches, I shall refer to a sermon by Rev. Dr. 
Sadtler at the Semi-Centennial Celebration, October 8, 1882; to the History of Bucks 
County, Northampton County, and L,ehigh Vallej'. In 1752, Northampton was fonned, 
and contained within its borders nearly six thou.sand inhabitants. Of these about six 
hundred were Scotch-Irish, in Allen and Mount Bethel townships, and three hundred 
were Holland Dutch, in Smithfield; the remainder were Germans. Northampton at this 
time extended from Bucks county on the south to the New York line on the north ; and 
from the Delaware on the east to Wyoming Valley on the west. ' ' These people were of 
the Peasant class of Germans; their capital invested was their strong arms, and disposi- 
tion for patient, rugged toil. They felt their religious destitution and ' sent delegations 
to plead with their brethern in Fatherland to pity their destitution.' It was such an 
appeal that finally brought over the venerated man that has been called the Patriarch of 
the American Lutheran Church, Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who landed at Phila- 
delphia, in November, 1742. Whatever may have been done by way of incipient organi- 
zation of congregations in this region before his arrival in America, this event is really 
the earnest beginning of life in the Lutheran Church. Dr. Richards records that already 
in 1740 a congregation existed, and a church had been built, called 'Die Gemeinde am 
Delaware Revier von Lutherisher Religion; or the Lutheran Congregation at the Dela- 
ware River.' This was no doubt the church that had existed on the old Philadelphia 
road about half a mile beyond South Easton, at the interse<?tion of the road leading east- 
ward past Leonard Walter's farm. Its foundations were traceable as late as 1862. 'This 
congregation was served, in connedlion with the congregations in Saucon and Jordan, 
beyond Allentown, by Rev. John Justus Jacob Birkinstock. In 1745 Muhleuberg visited 
the Lutherans in this region (Halle Reports, page 58) and confirmed several young people, 
after previous instru6lion. This he surely would not have done had there not have been 
a regular pastor.' We find Muhlenberg there again in March, 1747; and gives as a reason 
why he came, because he was urged by friends to come. Ludolph Henr\' Schrenck per- 
formed the duties of pastor from 1749 to 1753. Muhleuberg installed him as catechist to 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 99 

preach under his supervision. He was not ordained till 1752, and the next year he moved 
to the region of Raritan, N. J. In 1754 Rev. John Andreas Frederici settled at Sancon 
and served Easton. He also organized and served many congregations in upper Berks 
and Lehigh. After the close of his ministry, the congregation, on the old Philadelphia 
road, must have fused with the congregation at Easton, for in May 13, 1763, Muhlenberg 
was informed that the Lutherans had purchased a large house which they intended to 
use as a parsonage in the lower story, and a church in the upper story. The building 
cost $1066. This building was afterwards a part of the Washington Hotel on South 
Third street. It was Mr. David Berringer, the first tanner of Easton, who took the news 
to Muhlenberg, and an appeal to the miuisterium to send them a faithful minister. In 
response to this appeal. Rev. Bernhard Michael Hausihl was sent to them in December, 
1763. He was the first pastor who actually resided in Easton. About 1770, he became 
pastor of the old Dutch Lutheran Church in New York City. After a vacancy of several 
years, Rev. Christian Streit became pastor, in 1769, and his services continued ten years. 
He commenced proper church records: records of baptisms, communicants and vestry 
meetings, which records were lost. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Streit the present 
German Reformed Church was built, as a union church, by the Refonned and Lutheran 
Churches, which building was dedicated in 1776. The first Vestry recorded was in 1770, 
and consisted of Melchior Stecker and Frederick Kuhn as Elders. Michael Lehn, Fred- 
erick Gwinner, Johannes Ries, and Conrad Ihrie, as Deacons. In 1780-82, Rev. Frederick 
Ernst was pastor of the church, in connexion with a number of churches on both sides 
of the Delaware. From 1782 to 1798, Rev. Solomon Frederici had charge. From 1799 
to 1801, Rev. Augustus Henr\' Schmidt ministered to the church. In the last mentioned 
year, Rev. Christian Frederick Louis Enders took charge of the congregation and remained 
its pastor till 181 5. It is the opinion of Rev. Dr. Sadtler that Rev. Mr. Streit sometimes 
preached in English, 'and a certainty that Rev. Mr. Enders did so regularly.' In 1808 
the stated use of the English was introduced into the church, greatly to the benefit of 
the people, as many had ceased to use the German, and many never did use it. Rev. 
Mr. Enders was a learned man and very energetic, as he served fourteen congregations in 
this county and in New Jersey. He was followed by Rev. John Peter Hecht, whose 
ministry was the longest in the history of the congregation, running through a period of 
thirtv vears. " 



ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. 

"During Mr. Hecht's ministry, in 1832, the Lutheran congregation sold out its right 
in the Old Church, on North Third street, for the sum of $1600, and eredled the church on 
Ferr>' street, at a cost of $18,000. The Lutheran Church now stood alone, and was ready 
for work. Rev. Mr. Hecht was no ordinary man, as a brief sketch of his life will show. 
He was born in Bucks county, February 28, 1790, but losing his father in early infancy 
he was taken to Philadelphia. His early education was most injudicious, but it showed 
the precocious talent in the boy. At three years of age he could partly read, and a Bible 
'to be all his own' was offered as a premium if he could read an\' cha])ter that could be 



loo THE HISTORY OF 

seledled at five. He won the prize, and thenceforth his edncation was carried on under hi<rh 
pressure. It embraced Latin, Greek and Hebrew. At sixteen he was called upon to 
preach a trial sermon. He was licensed to preach when he was nineteen, in 1809, and 
put in charge of congregations in and near Pottstown, which was the place of his resi- 
dence. From there he was called to Carlisle, and thence to Easton, in 181 5. He was 
for years a man of mark, an orator of high order and impressiveness. Old members told 
Dr. Sadtler, during his pastorate, that strangers visiting the place, were taken by their 
friends to hear Mr. Hecht, as an intelledlual treat. Students sought his instructions in 
hopes of catching some of the fire of his genius and oratory. Among them were Revs. 
J. B. Gross and Henry S. Miller, the latter (in 1852) the oldest minister on the rolls of 
the Pennsylvania Synod. Few have been more honored in the pastoral oflfice than he. 
Troubles which rose in his church clouded the closing years of his life. The birth of the 
Sunday School dates Axigust 5th of the same year. And during fifty years of history 
this school has had but three Superintendents, Messrs. Henry Bender, Henry Hammann, 
and Owen Hagenbuch. 

"Toward the close of Mr. Hecht's ministry a colony went forth from the St. John's 
and formed Christ Lutheran Church. This church was built in 1843. ^^^^ motive for 
the new organization was a desire to have the entire use of English. It was connedled 
with the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States, until 1870, when 
it was received into the German Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania and 
adjacent States. There was a vacancy of about six months after the retiring of Mr. 
Hecht, when Rev. Dr. J. W. Richards took charge of the congregation, in November, 
1845. Rev. Dr. C. F. Schaeffer succeeded Rev. Dr. Richards in 1851, and continued till 
1856, and then accepted a call to a professorship in the Seminary at Gettysburg. Rev. 
Dr. Sadtler was the next pastor, eledled to his position six months before Dr. Schaeffer 
retired in March, and the former was installed in April, 1856. In i860 an important 
event occurred. The labor in two languages being too oppressive. Rev. Philip Pfatteicher 
was called to take charge of the German. Dr. Sadtler's ministry closed in the fall of 
1862, in which year Rev. Dr. Schmucker was called to take charge of the English, and 
worked in harmony with Mr. Pfatteicher, carrying forward the work in the two languages. 

"The question of another organization had often been discussed, but they felt that the 
time had not come as yet. In 1867 Dr. Schmucker resigned his charge and moved to 
Reading. He was succeeded by Rev. Edmund Belfour in the early part of the next year. 
His ministry lasted from 1868 to 1874. During his pastorate the important step was taken 
of selling a part of the old grave yard, adjoining the church on the west, and with the 
proceeds enable the German portion of the congregation to procure a church and organize 
as Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church. The following resolution appears on the church 
records, February 3, 1868: 'Resolved, That feeling the urgent necessity of another 
church, we will take steps to sell a portion of the grave yard, and that the proceeds, after 
carefully removing and reinterring the dead thereon, be applied toward the purchase and 
erection of a church for the German portion of the congregation.' The ground in ques- 
tion was sold to the School Board, the proceeds of the sale being $20,408.50, and was paid 
over to Zion's Church. The Reformed Dutch Church, on Fifth street, was purchased and 
extensively repaired and improved for their u.se. Rev. Philip Pfatteicher continues their 
pastor; the .services are condndled in tlie German language. Rev. Mr. Belfour of the St. 



EASrON, PENN'A. loi 

John's Church resigned in 1874, and Rev. J. R. Groff commenced his duties as pastor the 
same year. Under his ministry' the missiouar} zeal of the church was fostered, and Sab- 
bath Schools were established in various dire(5lions. The most important of these was 
St. Luke's Mission in the Seventh ward; at first undertaken in connedlion with Christ's 
and Zion's Churches, but now under the entire control of St. John's. A neat chapel has 
been erected on the corner of Eleventh and Ferry streets, in the no distant future to 
become a self-sustaining Lutheran Church. Dr. Sadtler thus sums up the work of the 
Lutheran Church in Easton: St. John's may fairly claim the title of mother of churches. 
Whilst her own membership is unabated, there have descended from her as children, 
Christ's Church, with a membership of two hundred and fifty, and a Sunday School of 
three himdred and fifty-eight scholars, officers and teachers. Zion's German Lutheran, 
with four hundred and fifty members, and five hundred and thirty in the Sunday School. 
St. Paul's, with two hundred and thirty-five members; Sunday School, two hundred and 
seventy. St. Peter's, on College Hill, with one hundred and thirty-five members, and a 
Sunday School of two hundred and twenty. The First Colored Church on Ferry street. 
St. Paul's, in South Easton, with a large membership in both church and Sunday School. 
St. John's (German), in Phillipsburg, with one hundred and fifty members, and one 
hundred and twenty-eight in the Sunday School. Grace Church, Phillipsburg, with one 
hundred and ten members, and a Sunday School of two hundred and forty-seven." 

It now remains to gather up the remaining history- of the individual churches that 
have sprung from St. John's. Before doing so it will be proper to refer to the present 
pastorate of the mother church. "Rev. D. H. Geissinger was called from New York 
City to take charge of the flock, and he entered upon his duties on February 3, 1882. 
After long and patriotic service in the anny during our civil war, he determined to devote 
his life to the Christian ministry in the Lutheran church. He studied at the Mercersburg 
College, and at the Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa. With the same steadfastness of 
purpose, diligence and earnest devotion to duty, which had marked his militar}' career, 
he urged himself onward to the end he had in view, and completed his studies in Phila- 
delphia in 1872. He is as faithful in the pulpit as he was patriotic in the field; and is 
doing a good work and doing it well." His church has a membership of six hundred 
and fifty-five. In the Sunday Schools connedled with his church there are eighty teachers 
and seven hundred pupils. 



CHRIST CHURCH. 

[rKV. J. M. ANSI'ACH.] 

The organization of this body was effedled on Friday evening, June 30, 1843, by the 
ele<?tion of the following oflficers: John Lehn, John Hecknian and Peter Ihrie, elders; 
Samuel Shouse, Samuel Drinkhouse and Henr\' Bender, deacons; Samuel Yoke, treasurer. 
The name first cho.sen was simply "The Lutheran Congregation of Easton." A unani- 
mous call to become pastor of this congregation was immediately extended to Rev. George 
Diehl, at a salary of $600, and was promptly accepted. On the ist of September, the same 
year, he began his pastoral labors, and on the 23rd of December was installed. The 



I02 THE HISTORY OF 

congregation nnited with the East Pennsylvania Synod. Public worship was conducted 
in the old M. E. chnrch. Action to secnre incorporation was taken on January 12, 1844, 
and the name changed from "The Lntheran Congregation" to "The English Evan- 
gelical Lutheran Congregation of Easton;" at the same time report was made of the 
purchase of a lot at Ferr}' and Hamilton streets (as Fourth street was then called), upon 
which to erecfl a church edifice. On the 22d day of December following, the church was 
dedicated "to the ever-living God," and was by resolution, called "Christ Church." 
The pastorate of Rev. Diehl continued until July ist, 1851. On the ist of September, 
1851, Charles Adam Smith became pastor, and so remained until July ist, 1854. During 
his pastorate the parsonage was built. Rev. Mr. Smith was followed by Rev. Emanuel 
Greenwald, who began his ministry October ist, 1854, and closed it April 21st, 1867. 
He was a very successful and most dearly beloved pastor. On the ist of August, 1867, 
Rev. William Ruthrauff was settled in the parish, and so continued until April ist, 1870. 
During his time St. Paul's congregation was organized, and Christ's separating from the 
East Pennsylvania Synod, nnited with "The Ministerium of Pennsylvania and adjacent 
States." Rev. William Ashmead Schaeffer was chosen as Rev. Ruthrauff 's successor, 
and on September ist, following, began his work in this church. He continued it until 
the summer of '76, when health failing, a vacation was allowed him, and Rev. Theophilus 
Heilig appointed supply. Rev. Schaeffer's health not having become restored within the 
time he expelled, he resigned the charge, April ist, 1877. During his pastorate a pipe 
organ was purchased, a room to accommodate it was built, and the Sunday School provided 
with settees. The music in the church was greatly improved. 

In September of this same year. Rev. J. M. Anspach received a unanimous call to 
the church, and on November ist, the same year, began his labors. He is pastor at 
present. In the early part of his pastorate the church was repainted and refrescoed; new 
fences made; new pavement laid and new heaters provided. Six handsome memorial 
windows, commemorative of events in the life of Christ, have taken the place of as many 
old ones, contributed as follows: Mr. Howard Rinek, one; Mr. H. G. Tombler, one; Mr. 
E. I. Hunt, one; Sunday School, one; Sunday School Class of Mrs. Frank Lehn, one; 
Working- people's Association, one. Last year a most comfortable improvement was 
made to the parsonage. Through the liberality of one man the organ was furnished 
with a water motor. The church, in its history, has given many thousand dollars to the 
work of benevolence. The disposition of the congregation is liberal. As at present 
arranged the pew rents are devoted to the payment of salaries; the collections are used to 
defray incidental expenses; a working-people's association provides funds for ordinary 
improvements and aids the general treasury; a mission circle, comprising 200 members, 
raises sufficient sums to pay synodical apportionment and render aid to other worthy 
proje6ls. The entire membership is upwards of 300. Two hundred and fifty-four 
persons have been received during the present pastorate. An unusually large number of 
deaths, and numerous removals, have kept the membership at small figures, considering 
many accessions. For the first time in its history (June, 1886), the congregation enter- 
tained the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, and did this with a heartiness and pleasure that, 
we venture to .sa)-, has seldom, if ever, been exceeded. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 103 

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 

[church records.] 

St. Paul'.s Evangelical Lutheran Church sprang diredlly from Christ's Lutheran. 
The first meeting preliminary' to the organization of this chnrch was held April 17, 1S68, 
in the Baptist house of worship, on Ferry street. The difficulties attending the settle- 
ment of the sy nodical relations of Christ's Church had estranged many of its members, 
and the first meeting was called by them merely for consultation; but, when so many 
were found anxious to organize themselves into a congregation, it was resolved at once to 
rent a building and procure preachers until they could determine whether or not to effect 
a permanent organization. Accordingly all necessar}- steps were taken at the first meeting, 
and St. Paul's Religious Society was formed. The Baptist congregation kindly consented 
to rent them the use of their church on alternate Sabbaths. The two congregations 
continued to thus occupy the same building until the dedication of their new chnrch. 
The number of members who withdrew from Christ's Chnrch and entered into this 
organization was forty-nine. Shortly after, however, quite a large number was received 
by certificate from the same church. Rev. Dr. Theophilus Stork, of Philadelphia, preached 
the first sennon. May 24, 1868. Rev. Dr. Pohlman, President of the General Synod, 
followed and officiated at the opening of the Sabbath School, May 31, 1868. Supplies 
for the pulpit were thus obtained until Augiist 13th of that year, when, at a congrega- 
tional meeting. Rev. Joseph H. Barclay was unanimously eledled pastor, who entered 
iipon his duties, November i, 1868. It was on the same evening after the installation of 
the new pastor that the congregation of St. Paul's unanimously resolved: First, we need 
a church. Second, we will build a church. Third, that a committee be appointed, 
consisting of John Eyerman, Henry Bender, George Sweeney, Adam Yohe and John F. 
Gwinner to purchase a site for the building. The necessary funds were speedily raised. 
The congregation was chartered as St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Easton, 
Pa. The building was completed and dedicated in January, 1870. A fine organ was 
presented to the church by the late Edward H. Eyennan. The bell was presented by 
Mrs. Edward H. Eyennan. Under Dr. Barclay's ministration a mission on College Hill 
was established, and is now a self-sustaining congregation, called St. Peter's (Fifth) 
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Easton, Pa. 

In the summer of 1871 Dr. Barclay visited the Holy Land, and on his return he pre- 
sented to the chnrch a beautiful baptismal font, inlaid with woods brought from the Mount 
of Olives. His pastorate extended from December i, 1868, to October i, 1872, when he 
accepted a call from the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Baltimore, Md. 

Dr. Barclay received his theological training at Gettysburg, being a member of the 
class of 1856. As a preacher he was earnest, eloquent and entertaining. Rarely indeed 
was he guilty of the sin of dullness in the pulpit. Few men have more ready and com- 
plete command of all their faculties than he. Few preachers can prepare a sermon or 
address more rapidly. On one occasion, at least, while pastor of St. Paul's, it was fortunate 
that he possessed this power. For the dedication of the new church the services of Drs. 
McCron and Wedekind had been engaged, but at the appointed time the presence of the 
former was prevented bv sickness and Dr. Wedekind missed the train. Dr. Barclay, 




ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 105 

therefore, devoted Saturday night to preparation and on the following day preached the 
dedicatory sermon himself. 

The next pastor of St. Panl's was the Rev. Harvey W. McKnight, called from New- 
ville, Pa., who took charge December i, 1873. The church was not less fortunate in the 
choice of the second pastor than in the choice of the first. Rev. McKnight graduated at 
Pennsylvania College in the class of 1863, and entered the Seminary at Gettysburg the 
following year. His ministry in Easton was a decided success. Though frequently suf- 
fering from delicate health, his preaching was of a superior order and drew large congrega- 
tions to the church. Few men possess more than he the element of personal magnetism. 
He made many friends in all denominations and outside of all denominations. During 
his pastorate of a little more than seven years the additions to the church numbered more 
than three hundred. He found the church at the beginning of his ministry burdened 
with a debt of about $7000. In the year 1874, subscriptions of cash, and notes bearing 
interest of one, two, three and four years, were taken, covering the entire amount. At 
the close of his pastorate this debt had all been paid except about $1700, due to the depre- 
ciation in value of a security held by the church. This amount increased by about $700, 
incurred in repairing the church — $2400 in all was paid during the pastorate of his suc- 
cessor. It was also in the year 1874 that Pastor McKnight was called upon to dismiss 
about thirty members to form St. Peter's (Fifth) Lutheran Church, on College Hill. The 
Sunday School, started during the pastorate of Dr. Barclay, had grown to such dimensions 
that a church seemed to be demanded. 

Upon the resignation of Rev. H. W. McKnight, Rev. Rufus Hufford was called to 
the pastorate of the church. He came from Lancaster to Easton and entered upon his 
work December i, 1880. He was educated at Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, in 
the class of 1873. He studied theology at the same place, graduating in 1873. There 
have been received into the church during the present pastorate one hundred and fifty 
members, and now numbers about two hundred and fifty. The Sabbath School contains 
about two hundred and fifty members, teachers and pupils. The debt of $2400 has been 
paid and the church is entirely free. 



ZION'S CHURCH. 

[rev. PHILIP PFATTEICHER.] 

Rev. Philip Pfatteicher was called as assistant pastor of St. John's Church 
during i860. Dr. Sadtler had charge of the English department, and Rev. Mr. Pfatteicher 
took charge of the German. The matter of forming a new congregation, exclusively of 
the German element, had been more or less discussed, and at length took shape by the 
passage of the following resolution by the church, Februar>- 3, 1868: '■'■Resolved, That, 
feeling the urgent necessity of another church, we will take steps to .sell a portion of the 
grave yard, and that the proceeds, after carefully removing and re-interring the dead 
thereon, be applied toward the purchase and the eredlion of a church for the German 
portion of the congregation." The adl of separation was not completed until December 
19, 1871, when two hundred and .seventy-eight members were dismis.sed from vSt. John's 



io6 THE HISTORY OF 

Church to form the new organization. The grave yard was sold to the School Board for 
$20,408.50, which was paid over to Zion's Church. The next step was to obtain a place 
of worship. The Dutch Reformed Church, of Easton, was organized July 27, 1851, and 
proceeded to purchase land and eredl a church on Fifth street. While the church was 
being built Rev. J. H. Mason Knox, now President Knox, of Lafayette College, a grand- 
son of Dr. Mason, was called to the pastorate of the church in 1851. The church was 
completed at a cost of $16,000, a large part of which was obtained by the energy of the 
pastor. 

The difficulty of sustaining the organization was so great that the congregation 
concluded to sell the church, and the newly formed German congregation purchased it for 
$10,000 and named it Zion's Church. On the 24th of October the following were chosen 
the first officers of Zion's Church: John Reuf, Henry L. Mattes, Christian Ippicli, Josiah 
A. Siegfried, William Schlechter, Owen Seibert, Ferdinand Hartel, John Gomringer, 
Friederich Muller, Alfred Mnller, Alfred Mebus, Andrew Pickle and William F. 
Schlechter. On the ist of January,-, 1871, the first services were held in the new church. 
The congregation grew rapidly and in a short time the enlargement of the edifice became 
necessary. At the time this work was being done a cupola was added to the building, a 
new organ was procured and a bell pixrchased. These improvements having been 
completed, the church was re-dedicated at the Advent festival in 1872. The congregation 
now numbers over four hundred communicant members. The Sabbath School contains 
four hundred and fifty pupils and thirty teachers. The superintendents of the school 
were, successively, John Teichman, John Reuf, William F. Schlechter, Henry L. Mattes, 
Josiah A. Siegfried and Henry Snyder, who now fills the position. Mr. Pfatteicher has 
been pastor of the church twenty-six years. He was born in Wassingen, Baden, and 
spent his early youth in Switzerland, where he pursued his studies at a mission institute. 
In 1858, in response to a call from Dr. Schafer, of Philadelphia, for divinity students from 
Germany, he came to the United States. In i860, Mr. Pfatteicher was ordained at St. 
Paul's Church, Philadelphia, immediately after which he came to Easton on an invitation 
from Dr. Sadtler, then pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, and shortly thereafter 
became assistant pastor of the same, preaching his first sennon in August, i860. 

This is the only church in Easton in which German is exclusively used. Those 
coming from Fatherland find a religious home where they can hear the gospel in their 
native toneue. 



ST. PETER'S CHURCH. 

[from rev. dunb.-\r'.s sermon.] 

This church was originally designated the Sixth Lutheran Church ; but it was after- 
wards ascertained that the colored church was designated the First Colored Lutheran 
Church, and the title of the church was changed in its charter to the Fifth Lutheran 
Church. "In looking for the first step which finally led to the organization of St. Peter's 
Fifth Lutheran congregation, we are carried back to the year 1870. The first prominent 
event which diredlly begins the history' of the church was the erecflion, during the year, 
of St. Paul's Mission Chapel, on Porter street, near High. This was a frame building. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



24x40 feet, with a recess of seven feet in width in front and five feet in rear, and three feet 
six inches deep. The agreement for the work was signed on the one part by C. Edward 
Hecht, David B. Miller, Amandus Schug, and William Sweeny of St. Paul's Church, 
and on the other part by Simon Reasner and Charles Stem, the builders. The Chapel 
was finished and dedicated to divine service in the fall of 1870, Rev. F. W. Conrad 
preaching the sermon. Upon the completion of this chapel a Sunday School was at once 
established. Here the work was successfully carried on, encouraged by an occasional 

visit from Rev. Bar- 
clay, then pastor of 
St. Paul's Church. 
Preaching services 
were held as they 
were able to procure 
some one to break 
to them the bread 
of life. During the 
years 1870 to 1873 
the population of 
College Hill i n - 
creased with great 
rapidity, and grew 
into a great and well 
regulated commun- 
ity. The idea was 
at once conceived to 
organize a congrega- 
t i o n on the hill. 
Acliion was at once 
taken by St. Paul's 
Church Council to 
carr\- the proposition 
into effect. In July, 
1S74, a meeting of 
the people on the hill 
was called in the 
chapel, at which it 
was decided to or- 
ganize the new congregation. At the same meeting, the following ofiicers were elecfled: 
lilders, P. A. vShimer, Ephraim Bowers, Amandus Steinmetz, and James H. Buell; 
Deacons, Edwin Sandt, Isaac Snyder, and Noah Dietrich. These oflficers were installed 
the latter part of July by Rev. H. W. McKnight, pastor of St. Paul's Church. Amandus 
Steinmetz was made Treasurer, Edward Sandt, Secretary, and J. H. Buell, P. A. Shinier 
and Ephraim Bowers, Trustees. In the month of September the vacancies among the 
Deacons were filled by the elecftion of Van Selan Walter and Samuel Briuker. The 
next important step was the calling of a pastor. .Vfter due deliberation Rev. W. H. 




ST. PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCH. 



loS THE HISTORY OF 

Dunbar was called by the congregation, and on Friday, August 28, he was notified of 
his election, which he accepted, and met his people the first time on Sunday, August 30, 
1874. In 1875 it was discovered that the success of the enter|3rise demanded the ere6lion 
of a new cluirch edifice. In view of this, early in the Spring of 1875, at a meeting of the 
Council, it was resolved to build a new church. A building committee was appointed, 
consisting of A. Steinmetz, P. A. Shimer, and Ephraim Bowers, who were given full 
power to raise the money and carry on the work. William Werkheiser was appointed 
building treasurer. The work was at once entered upon with great earnestness and 
energy. The lot upon which the church was built cost $1500, and was a present to 
the congregation from Mr. John Eyernian, of St. Paul's Church. The new church 
was completed by the middle of January, 1876. The large and handsome Bible in the 
pulpit was a gift from Dr. Cattell, and the reading desk from Amandus Steinmetz. 
The church was dedicated January 16, 1876. The clergymen present to participate 
in the ser\'ices were Revs. Dr. Conrad, McKnight, Henr}', Fleck, Rizer and Deer. 
The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Conrad. And now the work of building 
being completed, attention could be turned to spiritual work. But alas! There 
was a debt of $5000 for the building, which was increased to $7000 by obtaining an organ, 
and heaters, and other necessary furniture." The pastorate of Rev. Mr. Dunbar closed in 
May, 1880. In the summer of the same year Rev. H. B. Wile became pastor and under 
his pastorate the church became free from debt. It is a beautiful building, located in a 
delightful place, in a growing community, with bright prospers of future usefulness. 

There is a fine parsonage, built since Rev. Mr. Dunbar's ministry. It is adjoining 
the church and is similar in architectural style. Rev. J. B. Keller, the present pastor, 
succeeded Rev. Mr. Wile, March 8, 1S86. He was educated at Gettysburg, and ordained 
at Easton, in Christ's Church, during the pastorate of Dr. Greenwald. He came to 
Easton from Williams, Maryland, to accept the call to this pastorate. 

This church reports one hundred and fifty members, and a membership in the 
Sabbath School of one hundred and forty. 



ST. LUKE'S CHURCH. 

[rev. a. W. WALTER.] 

On 0<ftober 12, 1874, a communication, signed by Rev. William Ashmead Schaeffer 
and two laymen of Christ Lutheran Church, was sent to the Vestry of St. John's Lutheran 
Church in reference to the establishing of a Mission in the western part of the town. A 
similar document was also sent to the Vestry of Zion's Lutheran Church, and subsequently 
a meeting of the joint committee, consisting of the three pastors and two laymen from 
each congregation, was held in Zion's Church. Other meetings were held during the 
winter, committees were appointed, etc. The first public meeting for services was held 
in a building on Twelfth street, near Ferr>-, on Sunday afternoon, July 4, 1875. Rev. 
Schaeffer acfted as superintendent, and the school was then under the guidance of St. 
John's, Christ and Zion's Lutheran Churches. There were present at the first meeting 
ninety scholars, divided into nine classes of girls and five of boys, with fourteen teachers. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. ' 109 

The first officers were: Mr. F. H. Lehr, Superintendent; Rev. William A. Schaeffer, 
Secretary and Treasurer; Miss Ella Gerspach, Organist. The school rapidly increased 
and a larger room was in great demand, when, in 1882, St. John's purchased the lot 
situated at the comer of Eleventh and Ferr}- streets, and erected thereupon the present 
beautiful building, 32x54 feet. In May, 1885, Rev. A. W. Walter, having moved to 
Easton, Pa., from Decatur, Illinois, on account of ill health, he was earnestly requested 
to supply this church, which he did, and by the advice and consent of the VestrA' of St. 
John's Church, services were held every Simday evening beginning with July of the same 
year. The demand for more services, and the growth warranting the same, a meeting 
was held at Rev. A. W. Walter's residence January 12, 1886, six persons being present, 
to take in consideration the advisability of an organization as a church, when it was 
resolved that a regular meeting be called at the church, Januar}' 18, 1886, to ascertain the 
condition etc., looking toward such an organization. The proposed meeting was held 
and an organization effedled to be known as "St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 
Easton, Pa." A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and present the same at 
the next meeting held January* 25th, when persons desiring to identify themselves as 
members of this organization could do so by signing the constitution; the same, 
recommended by the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church for congre- 
gations, was adopted, and its charter members numbered 107. February' i, 1886, the first 
officers were elected, viz. : Messrs. John Berkey, Sr. , Benjamin F. Ward, Theodore F. 
Hamman, Edward Walter, Milton D. Ritter, Hiram Edelman, William H. Jones, John J. 
Seip and Frank D. Bishop, who were installed February 5th, by Rev. J. M. Anspach. 

March i8th of the same year. Rev. A. W. Walter was elected the first pastor, and on 
the 28th of March was installed. Rev. D. H. Geissinger, of St. John's Church, delivered 
the sennon to an overcrowded house. The congregation refurnished the audience room 
entirely previous to the installation service, and Rev. W'illiam Ashmead Schaeffer, of 
Philadelphia, Pa., preached the re-opening services March 28, 1886, at 10.30 A. M. The 
first Communion services were held Easter morning, April 25, 1886. The present officers 
of the school are Rev. A. W. Walter, Superintendent; George I. Nungesser, Assistant 
Superintendent; John J. Seip, Secretary; Theodore F. Hamman, Treasurer; Miss Lizzie 
Weaker, Organist. The Sunday School numbers 340 officers, teachers and scholars. 

Rev. A. W. Walter was bom in Easton, Pa., June 5, 1859. He received his early 
training in the common schools of the place of his birth, and prepared for college in the 
High School. He pursued his Theological studies in the Lutheran Seminary- in Phila- 
delphia, and graduated in the class of 1881, and was ordained at Pottstown, Pa., June 13, 
of the same year. 

REDEMPTIONERS. 

A VERY large part of the early German immigrants came to Pennsylvania to enjoy 
religious freedom. But later they came hoping to better their condition and obtain homes 
and comforts which they were led to believe they could easily obtain in Pennsylvania. 
Ship owners and other interested parties largely advertised in glowing terms the advan- 
tages to be obtained by going to the new world. Thousands who were poor, not able to 
pay their passage, agreed to bind them.selves to labor for any man to whom the\- might be 



no THE HISTORY OF 

sold on their arrival in Pennsylvania, for the time agreed upon. Some for two, others for 
three or more years, would be pnt up at auction and sold to the highest bidder, just as 
slaves were sold. These were called Redemptioners, and were sold for about ten to fifteen 
pounds. Many of them, after serving out their time faithfully, became, by frugality 
and industry, to be among the most influential citizens in the State. The years that 
were peculiarly remarkable for the importation of Palatinate redemptioners were from 
1728 to 1751, yet the practice of selling continued for many years, and was not abolished 
within the eighteenth century. There was a set of men who were called soul-drivers, 
who used to drive redemptioners through the country and dispose of them to the farmers. 
They generally purchased them in lots consisting of fifty or more, of captains of sliips to 
whom the redemptioners were indebted for their passage. The trade was very brisk for 
many years, but (as the country' increased in population) broke up about 1785, by the 
numbers that ran away from the drivers. A story is told of one of these soul-drivers 
having been tricked by one of his herd. This fellow, by a little management, contrived 
to be the last of the flock that remained unsold, and of course travelled about with his 
master. One night they lodged at a tavern, and in the morning the young fellow rose 
early and sold his master to the landlord, pocketed the money, and marched off. Before 
going, he used the precaution to tell the purchaser that, though tolerably clever in other 
respedls, he was rather saucy and a little given to lying. That he had even been 
presumptuous enough at times to endeavor to pass for master, and that he might possibly 
represent himself as such to him. 




EASTON SCHNRKV — A \\V,W ()K "POT ROCK" AND "THE EDDY. 



HON. GEORGE TAYLOR. 




England hath sunny dales, dearly they bloom; 
Scotia hath heather hills, sweet their perfume; 
Yet through the wilderness cheerful we stray. 
Native land, native land — home far away ! 
Pilgrims and wanderers, hither we come; 
Where the free dare to be — this is our home. — Lunt. 



III^RE is no group of names in modern history which attra(fts more special 
niterest than the names of those who signed the immortal roll which 
Lstablished the nationality of the United States. This simple aA has 
gained for them their immortality — they were brave men. The Declaration, 
m case of failure, would have been their death warrant. They believed 
in God; they believed in the jnstice of their cause; they would rather die 
for freedom than live slaves to a foreign power; and so with a bold, 
unflinching courage, they affixed their names to the document sacred to 
liberty. None but an eye of faith could see through the gloom which 
hung over the future, when John Hancock took his pen, wrote his name 
in letters in nearly a half inch space, and looking at them, exclaimed, 
"There, John Bull can read that without his glasses." Charles Carroll, while writing 
his name, being reminded that there were two Charles Carrolls in Maryland, and 
that the wrong one might pay the penalty of treason if they failed in the Revolution, 
added the words "of Carrollton," thus pointing out his home; and these two simple 
words will pass down the ages to the end of time affixed to the name of Charles Carroll. 
There are moments in the lives of men which sometimes fix their characfler for real 
greatness. This moment came in this turning point in human history-. 

George Taylor was one of this number of great men. He was born in Ireland, in 
1 716. He was the son of a clergyman, who gave him an education which prepared 
him for the useful positions he occupied in after life. It was all his father could give him. 
He had no one to help him in the world, and nothing to depend upon but his industry and 
perseverance. His father had thought to have his son study medicine, which profession 
he began. He was quick, adlive and intelligent, but his turn of mind did not fit him for 
the kind of study which success required. He determined to seek his fortune in a verv' 
different way. His mind was turned to America as his future home. He heard of a 
vessel about to sail for Philadelphia, he deserted his medical studies, and, without a 
sixpence in his pocket, embarked as a redemptioner, for the new world. On his arrival 
in America, he bound himself for a term of years to a Mr. Savage, who paid the expenses 
incurred in crossing the Atlantic. This person had charge of the Durham furnace, on the 
Delaware river, about ten miles below Easton. Taylor came with Mr. Savage to Durham, 
and faithfully served out his time, and hence he was called a redemptioner. He was set 
to work as a coal heaver, that is, to fill the furnace with coal when in blast. He had not 
been accustomed to such rude work, as the blisters on his hands showed. The fa6l was 
mentioned to Mr. Savage, who took compassion on the lad, ascertained that his education 



THE HISTORY OF 



fitted him for a more important position, and Mr. Savage asked him if he conld not 
handle a pen better than he could a shovel. Taylor was glad of the change, was installed 
as clerk, and soon made himself an important member of the establishment. He retained 
this position several years; when Mr. Savage died, he married his widow, and became 
proprietor of the whole concern. By industry, prudence and economy, he amassed a 
considerable fortune, but for some reason he purchased land on the Lehigh, built a large 
house and made it his residence. Mr. Taylor had not been long an inhabitant of North- 
ampton before he was called into public life. In 1764 he became a member of the 
Provincial As.sembly, and was placed on the Committee of Aggrievances, one of the 
important positions in the body. He took an a6live part in the discussion of the great 
questions which then agitated the province, the alteration of the charter and the reforma- 
tion of the proprietary government, into which many serious abuses had crept. In 1765 

the speaker of the Assembly received a communication 
from the Mas.sachusetts Legislature suggesting the 
meeting of a general Congress at New York in 
Autumn. At the meeting of the Assembly in 
September, the proposition was agreed to without a 
dissenting voice. The Speaker, Mr. Fox, and Messrs. 
Dickinson, Bryan and Morton, were eledled as 
delegates, and a committee was appointed to draw up 
instru6lions for their government when in session. 
Mr. Taylor was appointed on this committee; the 
instru<5lions were drawn up, presented to the House 
next day, and approved by the Assembly. In 0(5lober 
Mr. Taylor was again eledled to represent North- 
ampton County in the Provincial Assembly, and again 
became an a<ftive member on several useful commit- 
tees, and a participator in all the leading measures. 
In the month of June following, we find Mr. Taylor 
appointed on a committee to draw up an address of 
thanks to the king for the repeal of the Stamp A61. Thirty-five years before, Mr. Taylor 
was a poor boy working his way across the Atlantic because he had not a penny with 
which to pay it; now we find him a member of a legislative body by whose appointment 
he is instructed to confer with one of the mightiest rulers of the globe. Verily, truth is 
sometimes stranger than fi<5lion. The work was done well, and Pennsylvania was still 
loyal to the king. The storm cloud was only gathering, not yet ready to burst. From 
this period till 1770, Mr. Taylor continued to take his seat in the Assembly; and we 
find him on the committee to amend the judiciary establishment; regulate the assessment 
of taxes; to investigate the rights of the House; to raise loans on bills of credit; to prepare a 
system of improvement in the navigation of the great rivers of the province. In the early 
part of 1763, he exerted himself earnestly to bring to justice the murderers of Indians, 
which had come near involving the province in a war with them. He thought the 
Governor had not done his duty, and he was appointed on a committee by the Assembly 
to confer with the Governor, and there was some very plain talk with his Excellency. 
"Murders have long since been committed," they say, "and not a single warrant has 




GEORGE TAYLOR. 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 113 

been issued for the purpose of justice; murders perpetrated at noon-day, in a populous 
borough, before a number of spectators, and yet the names of the criminals are undis- 
covered. There is a manifest failure of justice somewhere. From whence can it arise ? 
Not from the laws — they are adequate to the offence. It must be either from debility or 
inexcusable negledl in the executive part of the government to put their laws in 
execution." This is severe language for one to use who was so poor in his boyhood as to 
a<5l the part of redemptioner to pay his passage across the sea. What a beautiful lesson 
for the aspiring youth of Easton. But Mr. Taylor was only preparing for loftier positions 
in the councils of his country. From this period until 1775 Mr. Taylor's name is not 
found in the journals of the House. During this interval he was busy in his private 
affairs, carrying on a business in connecftion with iron manufadlure, but not meeting with 
the success of former times, he returned to Durham, the place of his former prosperit}-. 
During these few years he a(5led as judge, and was appointed Colonel of Volunteers, by 
which title he was addressed in after years. In October, 1775, he was again elected a 
delegate to the Provincial Assembly, and took his seat on the fourteenth of that month. 
He was at once appointed on several important committees, such as those on grants to the 
crown; settlement of Connecflicut claims; procuring anns for the public service; preparing 
a system of militan,- discipline for the province, and above all on the Committee of Safety 
for the province, which was now the revolutionary organ of the government. 

While Mr. Taylor was a member of the Committee of Safety for the Province at 
Philadelphia, he was the busiest of the number. This Committee was the Provincial 
Organ of the Revolution for Pennsylvania. The energetic and daring souls must take 
the places. The following letter tells its own story. (Colonial Records.) 

SHREW.SBURV, N. J., October 19, 1776. 

"Sir : I can infonn }ou that two ships of war are now passing our quarters and stand- 
ing along the shore to the southward; we suppose they are bound to the capes. This 
intelligence is by the request of Captain Boid, who has lateh' been with me on said 
account. You can depend upon every item of intelligence from your very humble and 
obedient ser\-ant, GEORGE 'TAYLOR." 

P. S. — We have a fleet of sixty-four sail now lying at Sandy Hook, inward bound. 
" 7(? Thomas Wharton, Esq., President of the Committee of Safety, Philadelphia.'''' 

So that Taylor was standing on the watch tower of freedom, on the Jersey coast, 
looking after the movements of the English fleet, and transmitting the news to the Com- 
mittee of Safety at Philadelphia. A courier could fly across the State of New Jersey and rai.se 
the alarm in advance of a moving fleet round Cape May. The committee could prepare 
for the danger. We get something of an insight of the activity and painful and ceaseless 
watching and harassing care which weighed upon the souls of those men. The times 
had greatly changed since Mr. Taylor was in the Assembly before. The cloud which was 
then gathering over the devoted colonies had burst in fury on the plains of Concord and 
Lexington, and on Bunker Hill. The blood of patriots was hot. The battle of Bunker 
Hill had taught the British that the colonists were not cowards, and that they were bent 
on war. The die was cast. The war was begun. November 4, 1775, the Legislature 
proceeded to eledl delegates to the succeeding Continental Congress; and shortly after they 
had chosen them, Mr. Taylor was appointed with several other gentlemen to prepare and 



114 THE HISTORY OF 

report a draft of instru6lions by which the delegates were to be governed in their delibera- 
tions. It was a delicate duty. The Pennsylvania delegation was not unanimous; but it was 
evident that a crisis was at hand, when the wise might anticipate, and the bold and vigor- 
ous might hope for, a separation from the mother country. Massachusetts had been 
oppressed, but Pennsylvania had been kindly treated, and there seemed a relu(ftance to 
break the tie. Her proprietary government had been condii(5led without oppression, her 
constitution was liberal, Democratic to an extent, not known in other colonies; and her 
population was largely, by habit, little inclined to uncrompromising violence. The rash 
and arbitrary proceedings of the British government were fast wearing away this kindly 
feeling. Under these circumstances Mr. Taylor and other members of the committee 
drew up instructions to this eflfecft: "We therefore, in general, dire<5l that you, or any four 
of you, meet the delegates of the colonies, and use your endeavors to agree upon and 
recommend such measures as you shall judge to afford the best prospedl of obtaining 
redress of American grievances, and restoring that harmony between Great Britain and 
the colonies, so essential to the welfare and happiness of both countries." They instrudled 
their delegates to utterly rejecft any projecft which should separate the colonies from Eng- 
land. The ensuing winter and spring of 1776 had brought a rapid and decided change 
in the sentiments of the people. They became more and more convinced of the necessity 
of a separation, and to prepare more and more earnestly for direct resistance. Four 
months had scarcely elapsed since the report we have just mentioned, so guarded and 
pacific in tone, was presented by one committee, of which Mr. Taylor was a member, 
when another, to which he also belonged, laid before the Assembly a document which 
bears all the marks of a determined and indignant spirit. They speak of their faithful 
discharge of their duties for the public welfare. They tell of their efforts to prepare the 
province for defense. "Every day brings fresh proofs," they say, "of the violence of 
the British Ministry, and of their fixed purpose to subdue the free spirit of America, that 
has yet given such obstrudtion to all their schemes of tyranny and despotism." The 
committee recommend the raising of troops for the public defense. In June, 1776, the 
same committee recommended the raising of two thousand troops, a part of which should 
be regulars, and the remainder riflemen, for the public defense. They thought the 
situation in public affairs so changed that they felt justifiable in removing the restricflions 
they had imposed upon their delegates in Congress. News had come across the sea that 
the British government had pronounced resistance in America open rebellion; that treaties 
had been formed with foreign princes for soldiers to subdue the proud spirit of the colonies. 
The day for compromise was passed. The bright days of July were near at hand. The 
most glorious event since the crucifixion would soon gladden the souls of men reaching 
out after freedom. Brave men would stand around the scene of a nation's birth. There 
were a few leading men in Pennsylvania who yet hesitated, doubtful which course to 
pursue; whether to renounce the British government, or the Revolution. And they say, 
" But, if we must renounce the one or the other, we humbly trust in the mercies of the 
Supreme Governor of the Universe, that we shall not stand condemned before his throne, 
if our choice is determined by that over-ruling law of self-preservation, which His divine 
wisdom has thought fit to implant in the hearts of his creatures."* These views of the 
Assembly were in perfect accordance with the wishes of the people; but, owing to the 

* .Sanderson's Lives of .Signers, paj;e 85. 



E ASTON, PLWN'A. 115 

reluctance which existed in the minds of many of the members, of thus making a breach 
which could never be repaired, the views were not adopted with the unanimity which 
so great a measure required. Indeed, it had become evident that an essential change 
ought to be made in the nature of the government, and the whole energies of the province 
should be exerted in giving weight to the great object at which Congress was aiming. 
The regular Assembly was, therefore, allowed gradually to cea.se by the absence of its 
members, and a temporary body, called a conference, consisting of committees chosen by 
each county, met at Philadelphia, and assumed by degrees a large portion of the legislative 
powers. On the twenty-fourth of June they took up the subje<ft which had engaged the 
attention of the Assembly — the dissolution of allegiance to Great Britain — and coinciding 
in the views which we have seen that body adopt, passed a resolution unanimously, as 
the deputies of the people of Pennsylvania, in which they expressed their willingness to 
concur in a vote of Congress, declaring the United Colonies free and independent states, 
and asserted that this measure did not originate in ambition or in an impatience of lawful 
authority, but that they were driven to it in obedience to the first principles of nature, 
by the oppression and cnielties of the king and parliament, as the only measure left to 
preserve and establish their liberties and transmit them inviolate to posterity. Embold- 
ened by this approbation, and that of most of the colonies. Congress proceeded zealously 
towards the great end. But in their body there were yet many who looked with fearful 
anticipation on the consequences. Among these were several of the delegates from 
PennsN'lvania, and neither the instructions of the Assembly, nor the resolutions above 
named, had yet changed their sentiments. When we mention among these the name of 
that great and good man, John Dickenson, we give sufficient proof that the cause of these 
sentiments was no unmanly fear. It was a reluctance to jeopardize the future prospects 
of the country, by involving them in a war with a powerful nation ; it was, they asserted, 
changing the wholesome system of resistance to arbitrary' acts into the pursuits of ends 
which the happiness of the people did not require. It was relinquishing the safe ground 
on which the colonies had planted themselves, and rushing into a war which, in its 
course, must bring with it slaughter and inexpressible distress, and in its end might fix a 
severe despotism on the ruins of liberties that had been rashly hazarded. 

Fortunately, there was energ}- enough in Congress to resist these plausible, but 
delusive, opinions; and, when the ultimate question was proposed, an approving vote by 
all the colonies gave to the measure of resistance that unanimity which secured its 
eventual success. Of the delegates from Pennsylvania, however, five still retained their 
sentiments in opposition to the majority. The approbation of the State was only obtained 
by the casting vote of Mr. Morton. Under these circumstances a new choice of repre- 
sentatives became necessary, and on the twentieth of July the convention of the State 
proceeded to elect them. Mr. Morton, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Morris and Mr. Wilson were 
re-elected, and in lieu of the other five gentlemen were substituted Mr. Taylor, Mr. Ross, 
Mr. Clymer, Dr. Rush, and Mr. Smith. On the same day Mr. Taylor took his seat in 
Congress. On the second of August, following, Mr. Taylor signed the Declaration of 
Independence. It was not until that time that any delegate actually aflSxed his signature 
to the instrument; for, although it was passed and proclaimed on the fourth of July 
preceding, the copy engrossed on parchment was not prepared until nearly a month after. 
These circumstances have once or twice triven rise to errors, but thev have been fulh- 



ii6 THE HISTORY OF 

explained in a letter from Mr. M'Kean, one of the delegates from Delaware, which is 
inserted in his life. The following is the letter of M'Kean. 

Philadelphia, September 26, 1796. 
"Sir: Yonr favor of the nineteenth instant, respecftingthe Declaration of Independence, 
shonld not have remained so long unanswered, if the duties of ni)- office of Chief Justice 
had not engrossed my whole attention while the Court was sitting. For several years 
past I have been taught to think less unfavorably of scepticism than formerly. So many 
things have been misrepresented, misstated, and erroneously printed (with seeming 
authenticity) under my own eye, as in my opinion to render those who doubt of everything 
not altogether inexcusable. The publication of the Declaration of Independence on the 
Fourth of July, 1776, as printed in the Journals of Congress (Vol. II, page 241), and also 
in the adls of most public bodies since, so far as respecfts the names of the delegates or 
deputies who made that Declaration, has led to the above reflecftion. By the printed 
publications referred to, it would appear as if the fifty-five gentlemen, whose names are 
there printed, and none other, were on that day personally present in Congress, and 
assenting to the Declaration; whereas the truth is otherwise. The following gentlemen 
were not members of Congress on the fourth of July, 1776, namely: Matthew Thoniton, 
Benjamin Rush, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor and George Ross. The 
five last named were not chosen delegates until the twentieth day of that month; the first 
not until the twelfth day of September following, nor did he take his seat in Congress 
until the fourth of November, which was four months after. The Journals of Congress 
(Vol. II, pages 277 and 442), as well as those of the Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania 
(page 53), and of the General Assembly of New Hampshire, established these fa<5ls. 
Although the six gentlemen named had been ven,- adlive in the American cause, and 
some of them to my own knowledge, warmly in favor of independence, previous to the 
day on which it was declared, yet I personally know that none of them were in Congress 
on that day. Modesty should not rob any man of his just honor, when by that honor, his 
modesty cannot be offended. My name is not in the printed journals of Congress, as a 
party to the Declaration of Independence, and this, like an error in the first conco6lion, 
has vitiated most of the subsequent publications; and yet the fa6l is, that I was then a 
member of Congress for the State of Delaware, was personally present in Congress, and 
voted in favor of independence on the fourth of July, 1776, and signed the declaration 
after it had been engrossed on parchment, where my name, in my own handwriting, still 
appears. Henry Wisner, of the State of New York, was also in Congress, and voted for 
independence. 

" I do not know how the misstatement in the printed journal happened. The manu- 
script of the public journal has no names annexed to the Declaration of Independence, nor 
has the secret journal ; but it appears by the latter, that on the nineteenth day of July, 
1776, the Congress direcfled that it should be engrossed on parchment, and signed by 
every member^ and that it was so produced on the second of August, and signed. This 
is interlined in the -svr;r/ journal, in the handwriting of Charles Thompson, Esq., the 
vSecretary. The present Secretary of State of the United States and myself have lately 
inspected the journals, and seen this. The journal was first printed by Mr. John Dunlap, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 117 

in 1778, and probably copies, with the names then signed to it, were printed in Angnst, 
1776, and that Mr. Dunlap printed the names from one of l/icin. 

" I have now, sir, given you a true, though brief, history of this affair, and, as you are 
engaged in publishing a new edition of the Laws of Pennsyh-ania, I am obliged to you 
for affording the favorable opportunity of conveying to you this information, authorizing 
you to make any use of it you please. I am, sir, with particular esteem, 

Your most obedient servant, 

THOMAS M'KEAN." 
'''' Alexander James Dallas, Esq., Secretary 0/ Stale for Pennsylvania.'''' 

We have thus far traced the life of Mr. Taylor, following mainly the work of 
Sanderson, author of the "Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence," 
in nine volumes. In transcribing the legislative career of Mr. Taylor, we have followed 
this author very closely, and, inasmuch as he copied from the records of the Provincial 
Assembly, it must be looked iipon as correcfl. Mr. Taylor was elecSled a member of the 
Assembly in 1764, and must have removed from his farm, which was situated in what is 
now Catasauqua, to Easton in the same year in which he became a member of the Assembly, 
for we find him in Easton in 1764. He was appointed in that year one of the trustees to 
have charge of the building of the Court House, and all the moneys expended in the work 
passed through his hands. Thus, wherever he appears in our early histor}', he steps to 
the front. In his career as legislator, in business for himself, in business for the community 
in which he lived, he always acquitted himself to his credit. From the humblest 
positions in life, to that of membership in the national legislature, he was never found 
wanting. He could &&. as coal-heaver without wounding his pride, or sign the Declaration 
of Independence without exciting his vanity. He was a citizen of Easton, mainly, for 
seventeen years, yet we find but very little material for the pen of the historian during 
that time. Having again leased the Durham Furnace, the scene of his fonner prosperty, 
he became engaged in casting cannon balls to fire at the enemies of freedom. He must 
have done a large business in casting these balls for the public use, for we find the following in 
the Colonial Records, Vol. V, in Council of Safety, August 17, 1776: "An order was 
drawn on Mr. Nesbit in favor of George Taylor, for ^1000, toward shot cast by him for 
the service of the State to be charged to his account." So it seems he had a running 
account, and the sum here mentioned was one payment. These missiles were cast in 
Durham, and sent down the river in the Durham boats. On January 30, 1777, George 
Taylor and George Walton were appointed by Congress to be present and preside at the 
Indian treaty to be holden at Easton. This great convention met in the German Refonned 
Church on Third street. One of the most serious troubles with which the colonies had 
to contend was the constant effort of the English to stir up the Indians to war on the 
western frontier, while they would attack in the front. It was a source of constant 
anxiety to keep the savages under control. The treaty to be holden in the German 
Refonned Church was for this purpose. It was, therefore, a very delicate duty imposed 
upon Mr. Taylor to conducT; the negotiations with these children of the forest. The 
organ in the gallery pealed forth its merry notes, and as these joyous strains filled the 
temple of God, Taylor and Walton entered, followed by the proud children of nature in 
their wild and savage costume. There is the genial shaking of hands, the passing of the 



ii8 



THE HISTORY OF 



social glass; these preliminaries over, the business was begun, and was carried on to a 
successful conclusion. George Taylor was at this time a member of Congress, having 
been ele6led a member of the Provincial Assembly in 1775, and the next year defied by 
that body, or more properly by the Conference, to Congress in July, and affixed his 

name to the Declaration in August. 
The jear upon which Taylor was 
entering was the darkest of the 
Revolution and the darkest hours 
in the life of General Washington. 
Dark clouds came rolling up from 
the fields of Brandywine and Ger- 
mantown, closing in almost with 
the blackness of midnight. In the 
political writings of Thomas Paine, 
when looking at the sore trials 
through which the struggling 
patriots must pass with bleeding 
feet and aching hearts, exclaimed : 
"These are the times that try 
men's souls." Men that could 
face such darkness, and stand to 
their colors, would hardly shudder 
at death. They were men of iron 
nerve, who had sworn their country 
should be free : the pathway was 
very dark, but there was light 
beyond. Many unkindly con- 
trasted the success of Gates in the 
North with the failure of Wash- 
ington in the South. Lewis Gor- 
don, for twenty-five years a 
favorite son of Northampton, had 
entered with zeal and earnestness 
in the cause of freedom, but in this 
dark hour had turned his back 
upon his suffering countrymen, 
and declared for the crown. Gal- 
loway, of whom Taylor had rented 
the Durham furnace in 1774, who 
had entered the contest with the patriots with a warm heart, in this dark hour went over 
to the king. In this treason of Galloway, Taylor lost the bulk of his property by the 
detention of the works, for the estates of Galloway were confiscated, and when Taylor 
died there was not property to pay his debts. But amid all these reverses, this favorite 
son of Easton stood firm. He had pledged his " life, his property, his sacred honor " to 
the cause of freedom. There might be reverses in the field, there might be treason among 




THE TAYLOR MONUMENT. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 119 

his friends, but death to him as a patriot was preferable to life as a traitor. He might 
lose his property, but not his manhood. Others might barter away their honor to save 
their lives; his honor should never be tarnished. He had associated himself with 
Jefferson, Franklin, Hancock and Adams, and he stood firm and unmoved amid th'e dark 
shadows which hung in deep gloom over the land. He hoped a brighter day would come. 
His faith could see rifts in the clouds, and through them the glories of the future may 
have dawned upon his soul. Many years afterward, when a stranger inquired of one of 
Mr. Taylor's neighbors what kind of a man he was, he answered: " He was a fine man, 
and a furious Whig." The disasters at Brandy wine and Germantown had sent about 
two thousand sick and wounded soldiers into Northampton County. They were divided 
between Bethlehem, Allentown and Easton. Those that were sent to Easton were 
quartered in the Court House and the old German Reformed Church, that old temple of 
liberty. Here the kind and brave women of Easton cared for them and kindly ministered 
to the wants of these suffering heroes. Among those at Bethlehem was the gallant son 
of France; and during the next year Washington went to cheer his dearest friend, 
Lafayette, at Bethlehem, and passed through Easton on this journey. At this time 
George Taylor was living in the old stone mansion built by William Parsons on the 
corner of Fourth and Ferry streets. Taylor and Washington were warm friends, and no 
doubt Washington sought out the home of his friend and had a pleasant chat on matters 
mutually dear to both. Could Washington pass so near the Court House and church 
filled with suffering soldiers, and not call to see and cheer them in their sorrows? 
Impossible. No doubt this great man entered the old church and cheered the soldiers, 
who could have borne their pains more easily if these wounds had been scars of vidlory. 
They were enduring a double agony, a sense of defeat as well as laceration of limbs. It 
would have been a source of pleasure to know that Taylor lived to hear the news of the 
surrender of Comwallis. But he died Februar>' 25th, and the surrender occurred on the 
19th of 0(?lober, 1781. He had rejoiced to hear of Franklin's success at the court of vSt. 
Cloud, to know that Bonny France had linked her destinies with his country. No doubt 
the star of hope in ultimate success rose clearly over his dying bed in the old Parsons' 
mansion. Mr. Taylor had two children, a son and daughter. The son, James, married 
a daughter of Lewis Gordon, was a lawyer, and died at twenty-nine, leaving a widow and 
five children. The daughter did not marr.-. Some of his descendants live in South 
Carolina. 

In 1855, thirty-one years ago, the people of Easton gave expression to their gratitude, 
honored themselves in rendering honor to departed worth, and to keep in memory the 
virtues of George Taylor, by ere(5ling a beautiful and costly monument to his memory in 
their beautiful cemetery. No one can pass this monument without thinking of the 
)onthful Redemptioner working out his time to pay the expense of his passage across 
the sea. The passer-by will think of the successful proprietor of the Durham furnace; 
the faithful member of the Provincial Assembly; the member of the National Congress; 
the man who boldly signed the immortal document when others hesitated. They will 
think of the man who was appointed to reprove the Governor of Pennsylvania, and extend 
the thanks of the province to the King of England. They will pause to pass a reflecT;iou 
on the glory of our institutions under whose benign influence the poorest may rise to 
wealth, the humblest to the most exalted positions, the weakest to positions of power not 



I20 THE HISTORY OF 

inferior to that wielded by the Cccsars. Alexander E. Brown, Esq., delivered an excellent 
oration at the dedication of the monument, in which we find the following beautiful 
stanzas : 

"No night-shade spreads its death-like pall ! 
No gloomy cypress waves its head, 
But let the glorious sunbeams fall 

Where rest Columbia's honored dead. 

Columbia's eagle \'igils keep ! 

Columbia's banner o'er him wave ! 
Naught to disturb his peaceful sleep, 

For freemen guard his hallowed grave." 



THE DESCENDANTS OF GEORGE TAYLOR. 

The following genealogical table is the result of the careful and patient research of 
Mr. Ethan A. Weaver, of Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Lafayette College, a warm 
friend of Easton, and deeply interested in her history. It has been a matter of long corre- 
spondence, but his success has amply repaid his toil, and he receives our most hearty thanks. 

"It is a strange faciil that no biography of George Taylor heretofore published has 
contained anything concerning the descendaiits of this distinguished patriot. vSanderson, 
the earliest biographer of the signers, says "he has no legitimate living descendants," and 
M. S. Henr}', author of the History of the Lehigh Valley, passingly alludes to descendants 
living in South Carolina and a natural daughter living in Easton. As long ago as 1853, 
when Matthew Henry was collecting material for his work, he was in correspondence with 
a great grandson of Colonel Taylor, James Lewis Gordon Taylor, then living in Virginia, 
(and who had visited Easton) but nothing further than what is above alluded is published 
in Henry's book. The writer's antiquarian spirit led him some years ago to making 
diligent researches for Taylor's descendants with the success herein shown. 

"George Taylor'"' by his marriage had one son, James Taylor,'^' who was bred to the 
bar, to which he was admitted in 1765; he died very young (1772), but left five children 
by his marriage with Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of Lewis Gordon, Esq., the first 
attorney in Northampton County. The names of those children were George, '3' Ann,*''' 
(always called "Nancy" in the family), Mary, '5' Thomas'''' and James.'^' James Taylor'^' 
dying before his father, George Taylor,'"' the latter took his children and tenderly cared 
for them. (See George Taylor's will — will book i, p. 275.) All the children remained 
with their grandfather until his death, save Ann,'-'' who married Colonel Samuel Swann, 
of Powhatan, Virginia. At the death of Colonel George Taylor,"' his grandsons, George ''> 
and James,''' went to Virginia to live with their sister Ann'-" (Mrs. Swann). Thomas'"' 
was drowned in the Lehigh river; Mary'^' died young; George'^' never married. Ann'*' 
(Nancy) Swann left several sons; their descendants will be noticed hereafter, and James''' 
married his first cousin, Anna Maria Miranda, daughter of Alexander Gordon, who was 
the son of Lewis Gordon, Esq. , of Easton, and brother of Elizabeth Gordon, who married 
James Taylor,'"' son of George Taylor.'"' The mother of Anna Maria Miranda Gordon 
was Miss Mary Morris, of Philadelphia, niece of the famous Robert Morris. 




AS CENTRE SQUARE LO( 



[FROM A DRAWINC. MADE R 




^ED FIFTY YEARS AGO. 



IRS. McCARTXEV IN 1.S35.] 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 121 

"By this marriage of James Taylor*'' there were four children. George Alexander'*' 
(died in infancy), Mary (9) (who died young), Sophia Gordon,""' and James Lewis Gordon.*"' 
James Taylor*'' (grandson of George Taylor), was for many years a man of wealth, but 
late in life he had reverses which he bore with noble serenity. He lived in Richmond, 
Va. , and was universally honored. He and his wife are buried in the cemetery of St. 
John's Church, Richmond. James Lewis Gordon Taylor*"' married (1856) Hannah, daugh- 
ter of Colonel Wilson Jones of Hampton, Va. , but left no issue. Sophia Gordon <'°' married 
^rs/, John Rutledge Smith, of South Carolina (grandson of Edward Rutledge, signer of the 
Declaration of Independence), and has issue. Jane Ladson Alston Pinckney Smith,*"' 
now Mrs. Gill Armistead Carey of Alabama, who had two daughters:*'' Isabella Gordon *'3) 
married Gordon Macdonald (issue Belle Gordon Macdonald,*'^') and *='' Mattie Lee*"*' (unmar- 
ried). Sophia Gordon*'"' married scxo/idRev. John Collins McCabe, D. D. of the Episcopal 
Church, and left issue, viz : Isabella Gordon,*'^' who died unmarried in 1857 ! ^^^ William 
Gordon, <'3> who in 1867 married Jane Pleasants Harrison Osborne (daughter of Edward 
Harrison Osborne, whose maternal grandfather was a brother of Benjamin Harrison, signer 
of the Declaration of Independence), and has issue, Edmund Osborne, ''•''William Gordon, *'5' 
Edward Rainsford Warner.*'**' 

"Concerning the descendants of "Nancy" Taylor (Ann Swann), the writer has been 
unable to procure a complete genealogy. She left several sons ; one of these, Thomas 
Thompson Swann, was born January 12, 1785, while his mother was visiting her grand- 
father's (Colonel George Taylor's *'') home, at Easton. Two other sons are reported, Samuel 
G. and George, the latter dying without i.ssue. Thomas Thomp.son Swann married Miss 
Sallie Woodson Macon, on July 24, 1806, and died in Cumberland county, Va., April 27, 
1845. His oldest child, George Taylor Swann, was born in Powhatan county, Va., July 
5, 1808 ; graduated at Hampden Sidney College in 1826. He married Miss Mary Lee 
Patton, daughter of James D. Patton, M. D., of Danville, Va. He was a lawyer by pro- 
fession, and went to Mississippi in 1836. In 1844 he was eledled to the legislature as a 
member of the Senate, over which body he was chosen to preside. He was twice eledled 
to the office of Auditor of Public Accounts ( 1847-1849). In the spring of 1854 he became, 
by choice of the Judges, Clerk of the High Court of Errors and Appeals. In the summer 
of 1865 he was appointed Judge of the Special Equity Court by Judge Sharkey, Parishional 
Governor of Mississippi. In 1867 he was made Clerk of the United States Circuit and 
Distri(ft Courts for the Southern Distri(5l of Mississippi. In October, 1877, he died, leav- 
ing seven children. Another son, Thomas Thompson Swann, Jr., was also Auditor of 
Mississippi, and still another, William Macon Swann, was Lieutenant in the United States 
Navy, lost on "United States Steamer Grampus" at sea, about March 20, 1843. 

"The eldest child of George Taylor Swann is Mrs. Archie McGehee, of Jackson, Miss., 
to whom the writer is indebted for information concerning this extension of the family, 
whose son Dr. Daniel Macon McGehee, graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, Phila- 
delphia, the writer of these genalogical records knew as a room-mate and companion in 
his early residence in the City of Brotherly Love. It was through him that I first and 
accidently learned of the descendants of this distinguised Eastonian ; and my best wishes 
for my cherished friend are that he will prove a worthy scion of a noble ancestor." 



Easton During The Revolution. 



The nation bleeds wher'er her steps she turns ; 

The groan still deepens, and the combat burns. — Iliad. 




THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 



E COME now to tliat part of Easton's Histon- which relates to the 
patriotic struggles of our ancestors in throwing off the yoke of British 
oppression and establishing principles of political freedom based upon the 
broad fonndation of eqnal rights and self-government. The French and 
Indian war had closed and left a heavy debt upon the British Kingdom, 
and Parliament was determined the colonies shonld help pay it. The 
Stamp A<ft was passed ; no legal paper could be used except such as 
was stamped in England and sold in America. The people would not 
consent to be taxed when they were not represented in Parliament. 
Franklin wrote, saying "the sun of liberty had set." The people of 
America looked upon liberty as dead, and the bells of the cities were 
tolled. The excitement grew to fever heat. The Boston massacre, the hanging of patriots 
in the Carolinas, the arrival of a large army and fleet on the coast, all indicated a deter- 
mination to enforce the despotic power of the English throne. The people saw there was 
no alternative but abje(5l submission or a(5live and vigorous resistance. The thirteen 
colonies were preparing for war with the most powerful monarchy in the world. They 
were determined to throw off the cumbrous weight which threatened to crush them. 
The words of Patrick Henr^^, "Give me liberty, or give me death," became the rallying 
cry of the patriots. All the emblems of royal authority were to be utterly destroyed and 
entireh^ new institutions created in their place. And while this Revolution was in pro- 
gress, there was a necessity for a strong and vigorous organization which could a<Si promptly, 
see dangers in the distance, meet them courageously, and battle with them manfully. This 
organization was found in the Committee of Safety. These committees were also called 
Committees of Correspondence, of Observ^ation, and of Vigilance. "At a consultation of 
the Virginia House of Assembly, in March, 1773, held in the old Raleigh tavent, at Williams- 
burg, at which Patrick Henr\-, Thomas Jefferson and Richard Henry Lee were present, it 
was agreed to submit a resolution in the House the following day, appointing a Committee 
of Vigilance and Correspondence, and recommending the .same to other colonies. The 
measure was carried, and these committees formed one of the most powerful aids to 
carrying on the work of the Revolution. Similar committees had been already formed in 
several towns in Massachusetts." These organizations spread rapidly and were found 
"in every colony in 1773." (Lossing, page 171.) These committees formed a perfecT: 
net-work throughout the colonies. Britisji armies, fleets, and the Tories were watched 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 123 

witli careful zeal by these faithful men. The Safety Committee for Newark, N. J., 
was formed May 4, 1775, by a meeting of the inhabitants on that day. As the utterances 
of this committee speak the feelings of all, it may be well to quote a few words to show 
the spirit which animated these bodies of men wherever formed: "We, the freeholders 
and inhabitants of the Township of Newark, having deliberately considered the openly 
declared design of the Ministry of Great Britain to raise a revenue in America ; being 
affedled with horror at the bloody scenes now a6ling in the Massachusetts bay, for carrying 
that arbitrary design into execution ; firmly convinced that the verj- existence of the rights 
and liberties of America can, under God, subsist on no other basis than the animated and 
perfect union of its inhabitants ; and being sensible of the necessity in the present emer- 
gency of preserving good order and due regulations in all public measures, with hearts 
perfeclh' abhorrent of slavery, do solemnly, under all the sacred ties of religion, honor 
and love to our country, associate and resolve that we will personally, and as far as our 
influence can extend, endeavor to support and carry into execution whatever measures 
may be recommended by the Continental Congress, and fixing our Constitution on a per- 
manent basis, and opposing the execution of the despotic and oppressive adls of British 
Parliament, until the wished-for reconciliation between Great Britain and America on a 
constitutional basis can be obtained." These words speak the feelings of all those men 
thus banded together battling for freedom. Communication was carried on by special 
messenger, as the mails were slow, and could not always be trusted. They a(?ted in the 
light of present exigencies without consulting any higher earthly power. They exercised 
judicial, legislative and executive power. They received their power from the people, 
the highest and most sacred source whence it could come. Sustained by their fellow 
men, and their confidence in the justice of their cause, and trusting in God, they went 
fearless to their work. They were like an invading army burning their bridges behind 
them. They had determined these hills and valleys should be free. This will appear 
from examining the records of the Committee of Safety in Easton. 

The people were divided into two parties, "Whigs and Tories," or "Associators and 
Non-Associators. " The Whigs, or Associators, were fighting for freedom ; the Tories, or 
Non-x\ssociators, were in sympathy with the Crown. The Whigs were very largely in the 
majority, but the Tories were so large a fracftion that they were capable of doing much 
harm, and must be clcsely watched and severely dealt with. These committees were 
secret organizations, intended to watch the Tories, punish them for their misdemeanors, 
and take active measures in support of the common cause. The committee had the power 
to arrest, imprison, and put them under heavy bonds to keep the peace. They had 
the power to compel them to apologize to persons against whom they had uttered 
slanders ; to sign papers of recantation, and to ask pardon before the committee of 
those against whom they said things injuriovis to the cause. vSummonses were issued, 
prisoners were brought by police force, examined and punished immediately. But, why 
should such powers be exercised by a committee, when there were courts of law? The 
courts of the King were suspended, the power of the English King was passing away. 
The friends of liberty must move quickly, powerfully, and administer punishment imme- 
diately. Society was changing, institutions were changing, political science was changing ; 
it was a time of Revolution, the results of which were to undennine the thrones of the 
world ; it was a turning point in history. The patriots had pledged their property, their 



124 



THE HISTORY OF 



lives, their sacred honor to liberty. Failure was slavery, success was freedom. These 
Committees of Safety were to check opposition in its bud, repress insurre6lion while 
struggling into life ; they were war measures, institutions that would be criminal in 
times of peace and would not be tolerated for a moment. The Safety Committee was the 
offspring of the political storm that was to give freedom to a continent, and ultimately to 
the world. When the sun crosses the "line," the trade winds change, violent storms 
sweep over the earth, carr\-ing death and destru6lion in their pathway. But from these 
violent atmospheric changes emerge the flowers of spring, the fruits of summer and 
autumn. So when those storms of suffering, sorrow and blood-shed had passed away, the 
sun of freedom would shine brightly, and his benignant rays would be enjoyed by all 
lands. These "Committees of Safety" were made legal by legislative ena<?tnient subse- 
quent to their fonnation. In the proceedings of the Assembly at Philadelphia, June 30, 
1775, we find this resolution : "That this House approves the Association entered into by 
the good people of this colony, for the defense of their lives, liberties, and property." 
This is the foundation of the legal existence of the Committees of Safety. The organi- 
zation of the Northampton County Committee of Safety was formed December 21, 1774. 
It was called the "Committee of Observation and Inspedlion." At a public eledlion in 
Easton, the following persons were ele(?ted members of the committee, viz. : Lewis Gordon, 
Peter Kachlein, Jacob Arndt, Michael Messinger, Melchoir Hay, George Taylor, John 
Okely, Anthony Lerch, Jacob Morry, John Wetzel, Andrew Engelman, John Greesemer, 
Henry Kooken, David Deshler, Casper Doll, Joseph Gaston, Yost Dreisbach, Daniel 
Knows, Thomas Everet, Michael Ohl, John Hartman, Nicholas Kern, George Gilbert, 
Abraham Smith, Abraham Miller, Nicholas Depui, Manuel Gonsales, and Abraham West- 
brook, being nearly one for each township. The committee then chose the following 
gentlemen as a Standing Committee of Correspondence for the county, viz : George Taylor, 
Lewis Gordon, Peter Kachlein, Jacob Anidt, John Okely, and Henr>- Kooken, Esqrs. 
Lewis Gordon was chosen Treasurer, and Robert Traill was chosen Clerk. The General 
Committee met January 9, 1775, and elected the following persons to represent them in the 
Provincial Convention to be held at Philadelphia, January- 23, 1775, viz: George Taylor, 
Lewis Gordon, Peter Kachlein, Jacob Arndt, and John Okely, Esqrs. The committee 
met May 6, 1775, at Easton, and considered a letter received from the committee of Phila- 
delphia, which made a deep impression on the members present. It is easy to surmise 
the tenor of the letter when we read the acftion of the meeting. A resolution was unani- 
mously adopted to form companies in every township in the county ; every man should 
supply himself with a good firelock, a pound of powder, four pounds of lead, a quantity 
of flints, and they were to choose their officers. A general meeting of the committee of the 
whole county was to be held on the 22d of the month, and the Clerk was ordered to send 
letters notifying the representatives of the various townships of the meeting. The Port Bill 
of Boston had been passed in the British Parliament, forbidding the landing of merchandise 
at the wharves of that city. Paul Revere had performed his famous midnight ride, the 
battle of Concord and Lexington had been fought, and that of Bunker Hill was approaching. 
The bells of Boston had tolled for the death of freedom, and old Northampton was arming 
for the fight. The excitement was at fever heat. 

At the meeting of the 22d, it was unanimously \oted to abide by the aclion of Con- 
gress ; to as.sociate together for mutual proteclion ; that no powder be expended, except 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 125 

when absolutely necessary, and upon urgent occasions ; to encourage military drill in 
the manual of arms ; those who refused to associate for the common cause should be 
considered enemies, and business with them suspended. At the same meeting we 
have a list of those who subscribed to the general association in numbers, and their officers 
chosen, viz : 

Easton — Captain, Peter Kachlein ; Lieutenant, Abram Labar ; Ensign, Matthias Miller — 87 men. 

Forks — Captain, Jacob .\nidt ; Lieutenant, George Stocker — 126 men. 

Williams — Captain, Melchoir Hay ; Lieutenant, Philip Mixsell — 104 men. 

Bethlehem — Captain, Christian Newman ; Lieutenant, Ulrich Sleppy — 130 men. 

.■Mien — Captain, Xeigal Gray; Lieutenant. John Lickpot — 120 men. 

Upper Saucon — Captain, Henr\- Allise ; Lieutenant, George Kern — 105 men. 

Lower Saucon — Captain Huebner; Lieutenant, Jesse Jones — 142 men. 

Macungie — Captain, Peter Traxler ; Lieutenant, Henry Felker — 120 men 

L'pper Milford — Captain, Christian Fisher; Lieutenant, Philip Walter — 64 men. 

White Hall — Captain, Peter Burkhalter; Lieutenant, Philip Knappenberger — 100 men. 

Salisbury — Captain, Nicholas Fox ; Lieutenant, H. Hagenbuch — 100 men. 

Plainfield — Captain, Casper Doll ; Lieutenant, H. Engel — S8 men. 

Mount Bethel — Captain, John Nielson ; Lieutenant, S. Rea — 224 men. 

Moore — Captain, .\dam Bruckhauser; Lieutenant, Timothy Reed — 106 men. 

Lehigh — Captain, Yost Dreisbach ; Lieutenant, Enoch Beer — 70 men. 

Weisenburg — Captain, Michael Probst ; Lieutenant, P. BenninghofF — 32 men. 

Lynn — Captain, Matthias Propst; Lieutenant, John Stane — 70 men. 

Heidelberg — Captain Michael Ohl ; Lieutenant, Jacob Zeiger — 100 men. 

Lowhill — Captain Michael ; Lieutenant, Jacob Homer — 35 men. 

Towamensing — Captain, Nicholas Kern ; Lieutenant, Jacob Wagner — 50 men. 

Penn — Captain, Richard Dodson ; Lieutenant, John Siegley — 25 men. 

Chestnut Hill — Captain, .\braham Smith ; Lieutenant, Dewalt Kuntz — .S2 men. 

Hamilton — Captain, .\braham Miller ; Lieutenant, Michael Raup — 50 men. 

Lower Smithfield — Captain, Jacob Stroud ; Lieutenant, Samuel Drake — 127 men. 

Delaware — Captain, John Van Etten ; Lieutenant, Da\nd Van .^ken — 47 men. 

Upper Smithfield — Captain, John Van .Sickel ; Lieutenant, Nathaniel Washburne — 53 men. 

The author has made this record to show the relative strength of the townships ; the 
uatttre of the work which the Committee of Safety had to perform, and the patriotic 
leaders in those dark days. Here is a volunteer force of two thousand men preparing 
for duty at the front when called for under the direction of this committee. They 
had the authority of raising, equipping, and sending soldiers to the front. In July, 
1775, the projedl of equipping a company of riflemen hav-ing been adopted, Craig, their 
captain, was authorized to purchase rifles, and present the bill to the treasurer of the 
committee. At the 0(flober meeting the military forces of the cotmty were divided into 
four battalions, each to be commanded by a colonel ; the Easton battalion to be com- 
manded by Colonel Peter Kachlein. At a meeting of the committee, July 9, 1776, 
five days after the Declaration of Independence, it was resolved to form a Flying Camp, 
and to give a bounty of three pounds to all able-bodied men who would join it. 

The following officers were recommended for the Flying Camp now to be raised. 
This camp was to be divided into four battalions. The officers of the first battalion were, 
Captain, John Arndt ; First Lieutenant, Joseph Martin ; Second Lieutenant, Peter Kach- 
lein, Jr. ; Ensign, Isaac Shimer. The second battalion were officered as follows : Captain, 
Henry Hagenbuch ; First Lieutenant, John Moritz ; Second Lieutenant, Godfrey Myer ; 
Ensign, Jacob Mummv. The officers of the third battalion were : Captain, Nicholas Horn ; 



126 THE HISTORY OF 

First Lieutenant, Enoch Beer ; Second Lieutenant, Peter Buche ; Ensign, William Daniel. 
The officers of the fourth battalion were : Captain, Timothy Payne ; First Lieutenant, 
Peter Middaugh ; Second Lieutenant, Benjamin Ennis ; Ensign, Abner Everet. Lieutenant- 
Colonel, Peter Kachlein ; Major, Michael Probst ; Sergeant Major, John Spangenburg. 
Each battalion was to consist of the following numbers: First, 92; second, 120; third, 
57 ; fourth, 49. The four battalions combined would number three hundred and eighteen 
men ; a small compac?t force, that could move in mass or in separate battalions at a moment's 
notice, as on the wings of the wind. The bounty paid to those joining the Flying Camp 
was to be met by a tax on the coimty of nine pence per pound, and single men to pay six- 
shillings. Captain John Arndt's Company of the Flying Camp was to be the rifle com- 
pany. Gunsmiths and locksmiths were not allowed to enlist, as they were needed at 
home. 

General Washington was appointed Commander-in-chief of the American army, June 
15, 1775, and thus the man who had saved the wreck of Braddock's army was called to 
lead, preserve and found a nation. He took command of the army under a wide spreading 
elm at Cambridge, Massachusetts. The British held the city of Boston, and during the 
winter of 1 776, Washington pressed the siege. In the following spring he felt strong enough 
to commence operations. It was resolved to seize Dorchester Heights and drive General 
Howe out of Boston. For two days the attention of the British was drawn by a fire from the 
American batteries. On the night of the 4th of March the Heights were seized, and 
breast-works eredled. In the morning Howe saw he must storm the works or leave the 
city and harbor. He immediately ordered twenty-four hundred men to proceed and storm 
the position before night. But a storm arose, and the wind blew so severely that the 
vessels could not cross the ba>-. And during the day and night the works were so 
strengthened as to bid defiance to the British army, and Howe gave up the Capitol of 
New England. Washington supposed New York would be the next point of attack, and 
so hurried away from Boston to defend it. He had entered the city of Boston in 
triumph. The country was wild with delight, and Congress voted a gold medal to be 
struck in honor of this great victory over the enemy. But the bright sun of freedom was 
soon to be covered with dense clouds and a darkness, like that of Egypt, which could 
be felt. Howe soon landed on Long Island with a powerful army of veterans led by the 
best generals of Europe. Washington ordered his army to Brooklyn, and at once prepared 
for battle. Untried soldiers, fresh from their farms and workshops, led by officers not 
educated to arms, were to go into this fierce contest to fight for freedom. What these 
fearless men lacked in experience was supplemented by that omnipotent emotion, love of 
one's country and home. The Americans were beaten and forced to retreat, which they 
did in a masterly manner on the 29th of Augxist. The American loss in killed was 
upwards of one thousand men. This battle took place on the 27th of August, at what is now 
Greenwood Cemetery. Into this fierce contest John Arndt led his brave men. Only thirty- 
three of his company rallied the next day at Elizabeth. The first battalion had been 
increased in number to eighty-seven, was sent to the front by this committee, and was in 
the thickest of the fight. It was one of the fiercest battles of the war. Captain Arndt 
lost many of his men ; was severely wounded ; and Colonel Peter Kachlein was, with 
Captain Arndt, taken prisoner. We copy the following muster roll of the company from 
the Historv of the Lehigh Vallev : 



EAS TON, PENN' A . 



MUSTER ROLL 



Captain — John Arudt.f 
1ST Lieut.— Joseph Martin.l 



1 Dauiel Lewis,! 

2 Benjamin Depue.f 

3 Thomas Sybert, 

4 John Wolf.t 

5 Christian Roth.J: 

6 James Hiudshaw.j 

7 John Middagh.t 

8 Alex. Sylliman.t 

9 Jacob Difford.S 

10 Jacob McFarran.t 

11 Robert Lyle.f 

12 John Ross, I 

13 Richard Overfield,?. 

14 Jacob Miller, t 

15 Martin Derr.'S 

16 Henry Siegel, 

17 Christian Stout,! 

18 Jacob Andrew, 

19 Joseph Stout,?, 

20 Jacob Weidknecht,? 

21 Henry Onangst.f 

22 George Fry,? 

23 John Smith, 

24 Jost Domblaser, 

25 John Bush,j 

26 Macheas Steininger,? 

27 Jacob Wagner,! 

28 Con'd Bittenbender.J 

29 Henry Bush, Sr.,'i 



2D Lieut.— Peter Kachlein.t 
3D Lieut.— Isaac Shinier, j 

Drummer. 
John Amdt.J 



Sergeants. Corpor.\ls. 

Robert Scott.t Jacob Kichline,! 

Andrew Herster,? George Edelman, 

Philip Amdt,! Peter Richter,! 

Andrew Keifer. 5 Elijah Crawford. f 

Privates. 

30 Paul Reaser,! 

31 John Shurtz,t 

32 Lawrence Erb,? 

33 Isaac Berlin, t 

34 Adam Yohe,! 

35 Frederick Rieger,j 

36 J. McCracken,f 

37 James Farrel.f 

38 Jacob Engler,{ 

39 Geo. Ryman, 

40 Conrad Smith, f 

41 Geo. Essigh,f 

42 Val'n Yent,f 

43 Philip Reeser, 

44 Lewis Collins,]: 

45 Joseph Keller.J 

46 Peter Byer, i* 

47 Conrad Metz, 

48 Peter Kern, J 

49 Henry Fatzinger,-f 

50 John Ke.ssler,f 

51 Geo. Shibly, 

52 M. Kress.f 

53 M. Kailor.f 

54 Wm. Warrand,! 

55 F. Wilhelm,t 

56 A. Frutchy,? 

57 Henry Wolf, Jr., + 

58 A. Everts, 

f Rallied next day at Elizabethtown. (33 men.) 
X Killed or taken prisoner at Fort Washington. 
^ Killed or taken prisoner at Long Island. 

At a meeting July 17, 1776, Peter Kachlein was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel. At 
the same meeting an order was granted to Captain Hubner for two casks of gun powder 
for the use of troops passing through this county. The meeting of the committee July 
26, 1776, gives a proper idea of the working of the organization. A father and two sons, 
some distance from Easton, were charged with being Tories ; and they were to be 
deprived of their fire anns to prevent their doing hann to the patriot cause. An officer 
was sent to get these arms of the family, but they refused to deliver them, and threat- 
ened to fire on any man who should dare to take them. An armed force went to their house, 



FiFER. 
Henry .\llshouse.}: 



59 Peter Lehr.ii 

60 M. Deal.t 

6i Philip Bosh,? 

62 Peter Frees,? 

63 Henry Wolf, Sr.,t 

64 Isaac Shoemaker,! 

65 Dan'l Sailor, f 

66 Fred'k Wagner, J 

67 Sam'l Curry,f 

68 Henry Fretz,| 

69 Henry Bosh, Jr.,f 

70 Henry Strauss,J 

71 Isaac Koon,J: 

72 Chr. Harpel,t: 

73 Joseph Miner.f 

74 Bemh'd Miller,^ 

75 John Falstich, 

76 Henry Weidknecht,}: 

77 Ad. Weidknecht,t 

78 J. Fraunfelter.J 

79 John Yent,t 

80 Geo. Eddinger,t 

81 Ab. Peter,? 

82 Adam Bortz,:|: 
S3 Jacob Kreider,:} 

84 Christ'n Harpel,t 2d. 

85 Jos'h Chass,! 

86 John Harpel,? 

87 James Symonton,f 



128 THE HISTORY OF 

the whole three were brought to Easton and lodged in gaol, and kept there till they 
submitted and paid costs. At the meeting on the 29th of the same month another was 
imprisoned for speaking disrespedlfully of the committee, and kept there till he could take 
better care of his tongue. At the meeting of August 2, 1776, we find the following: 

"Upon the complaint of Lewis Gordon that Mr. had uttered opprobrious words 

against him and the cause. Resolved, that, upon due consideration, Mr. ask pardon 

of this committee in general, and of Lewis Gordon in particular, and pay his gaol fees ; 
otherwise to be remanded to gaol till next meeting." He made the apology, paid the costs, 
promised better things, and went home a wiser man. These minutes of the committee 
are kept in an elegant hand-writing, rarely a mistake in grammar or spelling ; showing 
that the school teacher was at home in the Orkney Islands. The royal courts were sus- 
pended ; the laws of King George were inoperative ; the Committee of Safety encircled 
the people with their strong arms ; their eyes, like those of Argus, looked in every 
diredlion for the first appearance of danger, and crushed the rising storm in the first 
rustling of the wind. Many a stubborn Tory slept in the old gaol at Easton until he would 
apologize, promise good behavior, give bonds of ;^ioo to ;i^4oo, sign his parole, and go 
quietly home. The committee had eyes and ears in every township in the county. 
Colonel Kachlein (Kichlein) and Captain Orndt (Arndt) were prepared to lead the 
Flying Camp where dangers were to be found. Hardly any feature of Easton's history 
should be a matter of greater pride than the record of this remarkable body of men. The 
fearful responsibilities voluntarily assumed, and so manfully, honorably and successfully 
discharged, have made their names immortal. Lewis Gordon, Robert Traill, Peter Kach- 
lein, Jacob Arndt, John Okely, Henry Kooken, Robert Levers, Jesse Jones, Jonas Hartzel, 
Abrani Berlin, Cornelius Weygant, Robert Matthias, Anthony Lattimore, Peter Beisel, 
Peter Kohler, Timothy Reed, Anthony Moore, Jacob Shoemaker, Jeremiah Traxler, and 
Nathaniel Britain, are names which frequently appear in the proceedings of this zealous 
and patriotic body of men. They condudled the afllairs of Old Northampton through 
the storm of the Revolution, and when their services were no longer needed they gladly 
laid their despotic powers at the feet of the people with liberty secure. The sun of liberty 
shone out brightly in the heavens ; the power of the crown had passed away, and the 
people were free. And those men might sing with a full heart — 

' ' Laus Deo. ' ' 

No person had been wrongly injured, no man's property wrongly taken ; the women 
and children found protedlion under the broad shield of these noble men, the home 
was sacred, liberty was the boon for which they toiled and prayed ; while the temple of 
law and justice was closed, that of Janus stood wide open. England had never dealt 
very tenderly with rebels, and those men who formed this remarkable committee knew 
the power with which they were contending. No doubt there was a feeling of relief 
when they were permitted to lay aside their work. They have all passed away, but their 
names are gratefully remembered, and will ever be held in high esteem by all true 
patriots. The descendants of these men of the Revolution will read over their names 
with filial pride. 

When the Revolutionary struggle began the Colonial Assembly was the legislative 
authority for the colon\-. It was not desirable to destrov this bodv bv violence, and so it 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



129 



was concluded to let it die by its members absenting themselves from the regular meet- 
ings. There were members who sympathized with the Revolution to accomplish this 
purpose, and so the Royal Legislative Assembly was allowed to die a quiet death. And 
yet there was an effort made to preserve its life, and this will explain the proceedings of 
the Committee of Safety, July 9, 1776. Upon the complaint of Peter Kachlein, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel of the first battalion of Associators in this county, representing that a 

certain John M , of the township of Easton, had falsely and maliciously calumniated 

and slandered him by circulating a report that he, the .said Peter Kachlein, was proffered 




view of northampton street, looking toward the olu court house, in 1845. 
[from a photograph taken by R. KNECHT.] 



the quantity of two thousand acres of land as a bribe or reward to use his best influence 
and interest to keep up and support the Assembly of this Province ; and the said Peter 
Kachlein further represented that the courts of law being now shut up, he could find no 
redress or remedy from thence ; he therefore prayed the committee to take the .same into 
consideration. Whereupon it was resolved that the parties and their evidence be heard 
immediately. And the said parties appearing in committee, the said Peter Kachlein pro- 
duced Cornelius Weygandt (one of the members of this committee), who solemnly declared 

that the said John M told him that the said Peter was to have two thousand acres 

of land as a bribe or reward for his supporting and upholding the As.sembly of Pennsyl- 



I30 



THE HISTORY OF 



vania, or words to that effedl. The committee then adjourned for further consideration 
for the space of three hours, and being met again resumed the consideration of the afore- 
said complaint, and upon mature deliberation are of the opinion that the said John 

M shall sign a writing acknowledging his fault for circulating so injurious a report 

which had greatly hurt the charadler of the said Peter Kachlein through the whole county, 
but more especially as an associator and officer whereby the public service is likely to 
sustain some loss ; which paper being drawn up the said John refused to sign, and being 
repeatedly afterwards summoned to appear before the committee he constantly refused to 
pay any obedience thereto. Whereupon resolved, that this committee do hold up the said 

John M to this county, as a designing, dangerous, and refracflory person ; and the 

public are desired to beware of him accordingly. It was ordered that the above transa6lion 
be published in the English and German newspapers. 

At a meeting of the Standing Committee, December 19, 1776, Abraham Berlin, 
Anthony Lattimore, Jeremiah Trexler, Anthony Moore, Timothy Read, Jacob Shoemaker, 
and Robert Traill were present. Jacob Shoemaker delivered a letter from the Council 
of Safety of Philadelphia, with six hundred dollars to be paid toward supporting 
the sick and disabled soldiers in this town, to be paid into the hands of Abraham 

Berlin for that purpose. Mr. and Mr. appeared before the committee, and 

upon due examination, it appears that they are guilty of using language laid to their 
charge. Therefore ordered, that they be sent to the gaol of this county there to continue 
until they shall be discharged by this committee. At the same meeting of the committee. 
Captain John Arndt appeared and made complaint against three prominent men for slan- 
derous stories told about his condu6l at the battle of Brooklyn. It was ordered that 
summonses be issued and that said parties be delivered here with evidence by the 24th 
instant. They were tried and sent to the gaol. At a meeting, December 27, 1776, the 
three men expressed their sorrow for the wrong they had done Captain Arndt, and prayed 
to be set at liberty. Their prayer was granted. They were each put under bonds of 
from twenty to forty pounds as security for their good behavior, and liberated. At a 
subsequent meeting of the Standing Committee it was resolved that a magazine of powder, 
lead and arms be immediately collected and prepared in the town of Easton, under the 
care of Abraham Berlin, for the defense of the county against the incursions and depreda- 
tions of the Indian enemy ; and that the Standing Committee write to the Council of 
Safety of Philadelphia for such ammunition and arms. 



The Journal of the Committee gives little of the History of Easton, except as con- 
ne(?ted therewith. It was then a village of perhaps eighty houses, mostly log buildings. 
There were no bridges over the Delaware and Lehigh rivers ; the roads were few and poor. 
The streets of the town were not graded or paved. Its population did not exceed five 
hundred. The larger buildings were the German Reformed Church, the Court House, 
and the Moravian House on South Third street, just below Ferry. 

The use of the Church and Court Hou.se for the sick and wounded soldiers of the 
American army has already been referred to. Many had been wounded in the battles of 
Long Island and of Brandy wine, and afterwards brought to Easton to be cared for. Captain 
John Arndt, who had been wounded and taken prisoner on Long Island, returned home ; 
and after his recovery, he was appointed to provide for them. Money was sent from Phila- 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 131 

delphia, and the town people provided from their own stores, food and clothing, in a 
liberal measnre. 

Northampton county then extended from Bucks to the New York line, to Berks and 
Northumberland on the w-est. Easton was the most important town in Pennsylvania, so 
near New York and Philadelphia as to be convenient of access, and yet safe from attack 
bv British or Indian forces. The Journal of the Committee, and references in the Colonial 
Records and Pennsylvania Archives, show that it was the centre of revolutionary affairs 
for all of northeastern Pennsylvania. 

The Journal of the Easton Committee of Safety commences thus: "Agreeable to 
notice for that purpose given, the Freeholders and Freemen of the County of North- 
ampton, qualified to vote for Representatives in the Legislature, a very respe<5table number 
of them, met at the Court House, in Easton, in the said county, on the 21st day of Decem- 
ber, A. D. 1774; when George Taylor, Peter Kachlein, and Henry Kooken, Esqrs., were 
nominated Judges of the Election for a Committee of Obser\-ation and Inspedlion, confor- 
mable to the Eleventh Article of the Association of the Continental Congress, and recom- 
mended bv the General Assembly of this Province. The late County Committee appearing 
and resigning their authority, received the public thanks of the county for their faithful 
services." The eledtion of a new General Committee was then held. See ante, page 124. 

It thus appears that in Northampton county there had been a committee appointed 
previous to December, 1774. The facfl is very significant of the patriotism of the people 
of this county. They led in the van. The Newark, N. J., Committee was formed nearly 
four months after. May 4, 1775; and that of Philadelphia, July 3, 1775. Of the latter 
Committee, Benjamin Franklin was the first President. Associated with him were Robert 
Morris, John Dickenson, Daniel Roberdeau, and others, who afterwards became prominent 
in the state and nation. This was the Central Committee, and the controlling power of 
the state for nearly two years. 

The formation of the Committee at Easton preceded the battles of Concord and 
Lexington by four, and that of Bunker Hill by six, months. After these battles, and 
when it became evident that the result must be vidlory and freedom, or defeat and slavery, 
these committees multiplied through all of the Colonies. Communications were kept up 
by special messengers, and thus these organizations were enabled to acl with great effect. 

Between the Philadelphia and Easton Committees, there was frequent correspondence. 
Large sums of money were sent to Jacob and John Arndt, Peter Kachlein, and Robert 
Traill. Easton was then the frontier town on the Delaware river, the centre of a large 
population, for that day, and the rallying place for the patriots of all of northeastern 
Pennsylvania. After the defeat of the American forces at the battle of Brandywine, 
September 11, 1777, Philadelphia was abandoned by them, and Easton was chosen as the 
place for depositing the public records and papers, and for colle6ling military stores. On 
September 14, 1777, it was resolved by the Supreme Executive Council (Col. Rec. 11, p. 
864), "That Mr. Sowden and Mr. Hoge be appointed to have the money and the papers 
belonging to the Public Loan Office removed to Easton, in Northampton county ; and 
John Snyder and Henry Bartholomew were employed with a wagon to convey it to said 
place." "Ordered, That Colonel Nichola furnish a guard of two men to go with the 
said wagoners. These papers, etc., are contained in a case, a barrel, and an iron chest." 

The contents were noted, and it was resolved, "That the said chest, with its contents, 



132 



THE HISTORY OF 



be immediatelv sent to Easton, and committed to the care of Robert Levers, Esq., of said 
place." On the 17th of September, it was further, "Ordered, That the books in the 
Library belonging to the State, be sent immediately to Easton, in Northampton county, 
and committed to the care of Robert Levers, Esq., of said county, to whose care, a case 
and a barrel containing the books and papers of the Council of Safety, and the Board 
of War, have already been sent, with the loan ofl&ce money and papers." On April 23, 
1778, it was, "Ordered, That the ammunition and valuable stores be removed from Pitts- 
town, (N. J.,) to Easton, in the County of Northampton ; that the wagon master of the 
County of Northampton funiish wagons to the State Navy Board for the removal of the 
stores from Pittstown, New Jersey, to Easton, in this State." In Irving' s "Life of Wash- 
ington," Vol. Ill, p. 306, a reference is made to "the public stores at Easton, Bethlehem, 
and Allentown." 

At a meeting of the Committee at Easton, June 22, 1776, Captain George Huebner 
contracted "to deliver to them 140 lbs. good gun powder for every cwt. of salt petre they 
shall deliver to him, gross weight, he to be allowed at the rate of ;^3 per cwt. for making 
and for the casks ; he, the said Huebner, delivering the powder at Easton and fetching 
the salt petre, gratis." On the same day, "Jacob Opp, Commissioner, is appointed to 
receive all the salt petre made in the county, who shall pay for the same at the rate of 
£2^ per cwt. , or 5 shillings per pound. ' ' 

At a meeting, August 5, 1776, the Township Committees were directed to bu}^ all the 
blankets from the stores and shops in their respective townships, and to ask ' ' the good 
people of their townships to spare from each family as many as they possibly can, for the 
use of the Militia and Flying Camp of this county now preparing to march to New 
Brunswick, for the defence of American liberty." On August 8, 1776, at the next meeting, 
Jesse Jones reported that he had brought up from Philadelphia ^1300, "for advance money 
for our Militia." At several meetings in the fall and winter of 1776-7, reference is made 
to "the sick soldiers, now quartered in this town," and the expenses of their support. 

At a meeting, Januar}- 9, 1777, it was, "Resolved, That the following persons of the 
Easton Company of Militia be detained from marching with the said company to the camp, 
viz : Robert Traill, Clerk and Treasurer to this Committee ; Henr\- Shouse, joiner, 
employed in making coffins for such of the soldiers as shall die in Easton ; Henry 
Shnyder and Nicholas Troxell, shoemakers; Abraham Berlin, Jr., gunsmith; Jacob 
Berlin, blacksmith ; and Peter Ealer, keeper of the gaol of this county." It thus appears, 
that the entire able-bodied male citizens of the town were in arms and ready to march in 
the service of their country ; as also, that a resolution of the Committee was required, to 
designate those who must remain at home. 

Notwithstanding the convict of arms, the people desired that social order should be 
preser\-ed. At a meeting, August 2, 1776, it was, "Resolved, That this Committee will 
take upon them to keep the peace and call offenders to justice, in the name of the State 
of Pennsylvania, until it shall be otherwise ordered by the convention, or any other 
superior authority of this state, for the preservation of men's lives, liberties, and reputa- 
tions," etc. On the same day, it was, "Resolved, That this Committee will take into 
consideration the complaint of Myer Hart against Bamet Levi." The Journal contains 
many complaints for injuries, usually redressed by the civil courts ; but the Committee 
did not assume jurisdiction over capital offences, such as were punishable with death. 



EASTOX, PENN'A. 133 

While, "the Courts were shut up" in 1776 and 1777, there could be no convictions for 
crimes ; and there could be no better example of the capacity of the people for self-gov- 
ernment than that presented by the citizens of Northampton county in those years. 

The proceedings of the Committee were always orderly. A complaint was made, 
summons issued, and a hearing had at an appointed time, when the accused person was 
confronted with the witnesses against him. He was heard in his defence with his 
witnesses ; then, after a short deliberation, the judgment was pronounced and at once 
executed. Disobedience to the summons, or refusal to comply with the sentence, was 
punished by imprisonment in the "gaol." But the powers of this Committee soon ceased. 
They were no longer needed. The adl of the 6th of April, 1776, was the last acT: of the 
session of the General Assembly, which commenced September 30, 1775, and ended the 
6th of April, 1776. It was the last exercise of Legislative authority under the Proprietary- 
Governments, to which succeeded the Legislative authority established bv the Consti- 
tution of Pennsylvania, of the 28th of September, 1776. Dallas Laws, \'ol. L P- 720. 

The last Court of Quarter Sessions for this county, under British authoritv, was held 
at Easton, on June 18, 1776, "in the .sixteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, 
George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, 
Defender of the Faith," etc. But little was done at this term ; no Courts were held for 
one year. The next Court was held June 17, 1777, "for the County of Northampton, in 
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," before John Arndt, Thomas Sillyman, Thomas 
Hartman, Jj gnjamin Depu i, Samuel Rea, William McNair, Lewis Steckel, Frederick 
Leinback, Peter Moyer, Matthias Probst, and Jacob Horner, Justices of the Peace. The 
entire proceedings of the session are contained on one page of the Court Record, upon 
which is this entr\' : "The Court being opened, the Sheriff, John Jennings, Esq., reported 
that no precepts or any other process had been delivered to him." The next Court of 
Quarter Sessions was held September 16, 1777, before Justices of the Peace as above 
named. Little was done except to appoint constables and to recommend to the President 
and the Executive Council, persons to keep public houses of entertainment; "Provided, 
they all had, or should take the test" oath. At December sessions, 1777, one indictment 
was found and the trial postponed to the next term, which was held March 17, 1778, 
before Justices as before stated. Courts were held in June, September, and December of 
this year, and regularly thereafter. 

In the Court of Common Pleas, the last term under English rule, was June, 1776. 
The next term was held under the Commonwealth, September 16, 1777. There had been 
some acftions and judginents entered in the meantime, which were confirmed by the 
Court. It was at this term, that on motion of Robert Levers, and upon the recommen- 
dation of Daniel Clymer, Esq., Robert Traill, Esq., was admitted as an Attorney of 
this Court. There were many suits brought to December Term, 1777, and thereafter 
Courts were regularly held. There were no Courts from June Tenn, 1776, to September 
Term, 1777. The attorneys whose names appear most frequently thereafter were Traill, 
Read, Currie, Clymer, Biddle and Robison. Though the county was then geographicallv 
large, yet there was little done in the Courts. One small docket of 361 pages contains 
all the actions from December, 1765, to December, 1781, a period of sixteen \-ears. At a 
Court held at Easton Max 16, 1779, William McCoy, Daniel Monaghan, and Patrick 
Drogan, were tried and couvic?ted of murder. They were sentenced to be hung, and that 



134 



THE HISTORY OF 



sentence being approved, the Snpreme Execntive Council fixed Saturday, June 12th, 
following, for its execution. Col. Rec, Vol. XII, p. 5. hi the same Vol., p. 535, we find 
that in October, 1780, Ralph Morden was convicted of high treason and sentenced to be 
hung. This sentence was ordered b}- the Council to be executed on Saturday, the 25th 
day of November, following. 

Easton has frequent mention in the Colonial Records and Pennsylvania Archives. 
Enough has been given to show, in some measure, her importance in those days. We 
come now to what was probably the most exciting military incident of Easton' s early 
history — Sullivan's Expedition against the Indians. 



Note. — The patriots of Northainptou, whose names appear upon the records of the Committee of Safety, 
were of different nationalities. Taylor, Gray, the Craigs, Homers, Browns, Kennedys, Hays, Wilsons, Millers, 
and many others, were from the north of Ireland. Jesse Jones was of Welch descent. Traill, Gordon, Nielsen, 
McFall, Gaston, and Hay, were of Scotch ancestry. The Arndt, Kachlein, Hess, Shnyder, Odenwelder, 
Mixsell, Horn, Ludwig, Lerch, Wagener, Schnable, Kreider, and other families, were of German origin. The 
De Pui, La Bar, La Wall, and De Long families, were of French-Huguenot descent. The Van Campens, Van 
Ettens, Van Aukens, and Van Sickles, were from Holland. The Everett, Barton, Read, Bush, Jayne, Mead, 
Washburn, and Walls families, were from England. Manuel Gonsales was of Spanish origin. 

So, there are nine names, representing the same number of nationalities, prominent in the early history of 
New York. Schuyler, was of Holland ; Herkimer, of German ; John Jay, of French ; Livingston, of Scotch ; 
Clinton, of Irish ; Morris, of Welsh ; Hoffman, of Swedish ; and Steuben, of Prussian, descent. Alexander 
Hamilton was born in the Island of Nevis, one of the English West India Islands. His father was a Scotch- 
man, and his mother, a French-Huguenot lady. The early settlement of New York, under Dutch auspices, 
affords an example of religious toleration, very remarkable for that era. Around New Amsterdam were many 
nationalities, of diverse creeds, who lived in peace. There were Hollanders, Swedes, Waldenses, French 
Huguenots, Scotch, English, Irish, and Germans. Later a colony of Germans from the Palatinate settled on 
the Mohawk, many of whom afterwards came to Berks county, Pennsylvania. Conrad Weiser, the celebrated 
Indian Interpreter, was of this stock. 

Thus was there a blending here of the best blood of the world, and the result was independence of thought 
and atflion, self-reliance, and at last, freedom throughout the land — the land of soul-liberty — our country. 

" It is the land that freemen till. 
That sober-suited Freedom chose ; 
The land where, girt with friends or foes, 
A man may speak the thing he will." 



SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION 



Organized at Eastou — Arrival of Artillery and Soldiers from the National Army — Advance of Pioneer Corps- 
Sullivan's Road — March to Wyoming— Union of Forces with General Clinton — The Battle — Devastation 
of the Indian Country — Return to Easton — Depreciation of the Currency. 




ANY years had passed since the last of the Indian treaties had been lield 
at the ' ' Forks of the Delaware. ' ' Parsons, Gordon, and others, who had 
so well cared for the interests of the town had finished their earthly labors 
and were at rest. But their mantles had fallen on others who had bravely 
taken up their work, and to whom was given the great privilege of wit- 
nessing its triumphant success. Great Britain was in 1775, beyond ques- 
tion, the ruling power of Europe. France had been beaten in the seven 
years war, which closed in 1763, and had lost the greater part of her 
colonial possessions. In the interval of peace England had become rich 
and powerful. Her ships were on every sea, and the nations of the civi- 
lized world were but her tributaries. The united American colonies, 
without money, or public property, or a treasury, or national credit, had entered into war 
with this nation, and had met with varying success. Angered by the desperate courage 
and continued resistance of the colonists, the British sovereign resolved to call to his aid 
his Indian allies, the most faithful and powerful of whom were the Iroquois, or Six 
Nations, whose headquarters were south of Lake Ontario, in what is now New York State. 
It was their influence which brought against the colonies the combined Indian forces from 
the Mohawk to the great lakes of the northwest. Then was heard the fierce yell of the 
savage along the frontier settlements ; then the torch and the tomahawk performed their 
deadly work ; then were outrage and murder rife ; then was the irruption of Indians, led 
by Englishmen and Tories, into the valley of the Susquehanna, and the slaughter of 
Wyoming. 

The defeat and surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, in 06lober, 1777, had left the 
British without forces for a regular campaign in the year 1778, and it was determined to 
employ the Indians and Tories in carrying on a war of desolation on the frontier. The 
invasion of Wyoming was resolved upon, because her sons had early declared against 
British usurpations, and had freely volunteered in the revolutionary army. It was made; 
the fair valley was devastated, the houses burned, the crops destroyed, and her brave men 
slaughtered. A thrill of horror passed through the country at this outrage. General 
Washington took prompt aAion, and on Odlober 26th, following, addressed a communi- 
cation to Congress in reference to an "Expedition against Chemung," enclosing reports 
of Governor Clinton, and Generals Schuyler and Hand; on which it was, "Resolved, 
That Congress approve the reasons for not undertaking, for the present, an expedition 
against that place." Journals of Congress, Vol. Ill, p. 108. But the purpose was not 
abandoned. On February 25, 1779, Congress "Resolved, That the representation of the 
circumstances of the western frontiers, communicated by a committee of the General 



136 



THE HISTORY OF 



Assembly of Pennsylvania, and copies of the memorials and letters from the governors of 
Connedlicnt and New York, respecting the depredations on the said frontiers, be trans- 
mitted to the commander-in-chief, who is direcfled to take effecftnal measures for the pro- 
te(5lion of the inhabitants and chastisement of the savages." lb. lb., p. 212. 

Washington aAed promptly. He was a grand judge of men, and he ordered General 
John Sullivan to carry the war into the country of the Si.x Nations, "to cut off their set- 
tlements, destroy their crops, and infli6l upon them every other mischief, which time and 
circumstances would pennit. " The plan of the campaign was that one division should 
ascend the valley of the North Branch of the Susquehanna to its interse6lion with Tioga 
river, under General Sullivan ; and the other, from the north, under General Clinton, to 
descend the Susquehanna, from its source; and after forming a jundlion, to march along 
the Chemung river into the Indian country. General Sullivan made Easton his head- 
quarters in preparing for his campaign, doubtless after con- 
sultation with General Washington, who was so sensible of 
its great importance, and so extremely anxious for its success, 
that he wrote, on July 5, 1779, the following letter (Penn. 
Archives, Vol. VII, p. 535), urging the Executive Council to 
give all the aid in their power: "I must entreat, in the most 
pressing terms, that the Council will be pleased, without delay, 
to take effecilual measures to have the number of men origi- 
nally requested sent forward. The Council are fully sensible 
of the importance of success in the present expedition, and 
of the fatal mischief which would attend a defeat. W^e should 
perhaps lose an army, and our frontiers would be desolated and 
deluged in blood. A large reinforcement has been sent from 
Canada to join the savages. They are coUecSling their forces 
for a vigorous opposition, and if they are successful, their de- 
vastations will exceed anything that we have yet experienced. 
Their means will be increased, and their cruelty will be em- 
boldened by success and sharpened by revenge. It was not 
in my power to send a greater Continental force. I have stretched this string as hard as 
it will possibly bear, and relied on the further aid of the States more immediately con- 
cerned. I hope I shall not be eventually disappointed. I flatter myself, that the Council 
will think my anxiety on this occasion natural, and will excuse my importunity." 

As we have seen. Congress had authorized this expedition, February 25, 1779. This 
letter is dated Juh' 5, 1779. The summer was passing away, and the forces promised from 
Pennsylvania have not yet appeared. General Sullivan had written the Council upon 
this matter. In his letter dated, "Headquarters, Easton, May 31, 1779," he says: "I 
am informed by Mr. Blaine," the Commissary, "that the stores on the Susquehanna have 
no guards to secure them. I always supposed that the ranging companies from your State 
would pass by that loute and guard the stores to Wyoming. I must entreat of your 
Excellency to send them on to Easton, if they are ready ; if the whole are not prepared 
to march, I wish such as possibly can be spared, may be sent on. Should the whole fail 
to reach me in time, I must request the favor of your Council to call out a number of your 
militia from the neighborhood of Sunbury for the purpose. I have just returned from the 




A CONTINENTAL SOLDIER. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 137 

great Swamps ; I find the road in such forwardness, that I shall march the army for 
Wyoming, this week." Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. VII, p. 450. But the men were 
not furnished. General Sullivan then wrote to Congress, lb. lb., p. 568, as follows: 
"Headquarters, Wyoming, July 21, 1779. General Washington, in consequence of my 
letters, wrote the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, for the rangers and riflemen, and 
the President frequently wrote me that they would be ready in season. Not a man of 
them has joined us, nor are any about to do it. The reason assigned by them is, that the 
quartermaster gave such extravagant prices to boatmen, that they all enlisted in the boat 
ser\ice. But this must be a mistake, for we have not a hundred boatmen enlisted for the 
ami}-, and but forty-two pack horsemen, so that I must draft for boatmen and pack horse- 
men." Wagons, teams, and drivers were needed to transport the baggage. On p. 388 
of same volume of Archives, we find the following letter : 

"Headquarters, E.\ston, May 11, 1779. 
To President Reed : 

I find that a law of your State will much impede the intended E.xpedition, unless 
your Excellency will procure an order from the Executive Council, impowering the 
Ouartennaster to impress in this county such wagons, horses, etc., as may be found neces- 
sary for forwarding the stores, etc., over to the Susquehanna. You will easily discover 
the necessity of this measure, and I doubt not, of your readiness to comply with this 
request. ' ' 

President Reed, in his reply, intimated that the word "impress" was too harsh for 
use in Pennsylvania. General Sullivan courteously acknowledged that he had used the 
wrong term, and attributed it to his ignorance of Pennsylvania law. This letter bears 
date, Easton, May 26, 1779. Penna. Archives, Vol. VII, p. 439. In it he thanks the 
Council for sending "three blank warrants for teams, wagons, etc.," to fill out at his 
pleasure, and thus obtain the means of transpwrtation. The warrants were for North- 
ampton, Bucks and Berks counties, though used only in the first two. Of one hundred 
wagons needed, he procured sixty from Northampton and forty from Bucks. Thus were 
his means of transportation provided. And now the town is roused from its quiet. All 
eyes were turned to the Jersey shore. The First New Jersey Regiment approaches through 
the village of Phillipsburg, and martial music echoes from the surrounding hills, while 
the troops were transported over the Delaware in boats. Colonel Procftor's Artillery thun- 
dered forth a welcome. On May 26th, the Third New Jerse}' Regiment crossed the river. 
A German Battalion, and Major Powell's command, had come in April. In May appeared 
a regiment from York County, Pennsylvania. Then came a regiment from New Hamp- 
shire, the neighbors of the heroes of Concord, Lexington and Bunker Hill. There was 
also a regiment commanded by Captain John Paul Schotts, a German officer, who served 
in the anny of Frederick the Great. 

Thus was Easton filled with soldiers. Their tents were pitched along the Delaware 
and Lehigh rivers, and up the Bushkill creek. The ofiicers occupied the hotels. The 
Court House in the Square was filled ; so was the old Durham boat store house of Chris- 
tian Butz. The heavy wagons of the farmers of Northampton and Bucks came slowly in. 
Never before had so large a number of troops congregated here. There was an anny of 
twenty-five hundred men, with teamsters for the transport wagons and drivers for the pa';k 



138 



THE HISrOKY OF 



horses. The hour for the march was at hand. The advance corps of pioneers had opened 
a road, and all was in commotion incident to the great campaign, the results of which 
were to influence for good or ill the destiny of- our country, and to draw the attention of 
the civilized world. There was then no road up the Bushkill creek beyond the mill, near 
the present county bridge, ne.xt the planing mill ; and Sullivan street, more generally 
known as "Lover's Lane," was then made by the pioneer corps of General Sullivan's army. 
It ran by the reservoir of the Easton Water Company, and thence westwardly diredlly 
over Chestnut Hill. 

On the morning of June i8, 1779, the troops were early in motion, and as they 
marched to the martial music of fife and drum, the soldiers were shouting the refrain — 

" Dou't you hear your General say. 
Strike your tents and march away." 

The line of march extended more than two miles. The army encamped the first 
night at Wind Gap, near Heller's; on June 19th at Lanier's, on the Pocono Mountain; 
on the 20th at Chouder's Camp ; 21st at Fatigue Camp ; 22d at Sullivan's Camp, at Great 
_ Meadows, seven miles from the Wyoming Valley, 

where it arrived on the 23d of June. The soldiers 
had now reached the beautiful vale which had so re- 
cently been the scene of rapine, outrage and murder ; 
of most savage cruelties infli6led by the Indians under 
the lead of Tories and British officers. But the day 
of vengeance was at hand. If aught had been needed 
to nerve the heart and strengthen the arm of every 
soldier in the ranks, the recital of the wrongs suffered 
by the inhabitants, the charred timbers of the houses 
burned, and the destrudlion wrought everywhere, 
would have suflSced. The brief accotints of the march 
handed down to us show that there was no flinching 
thereafter from the fight. Each man was filled with 
the desire of avenging the vidlims of that cruel onslaught. Such an army was invincible 
in such a cause. At last had deliverance come to the people of fair Wyoming ; and we can 
well believe that the brave men and noble women of the valley welcomed the anny with 
joy and exultation. The river was lined with the boats sent for the transportation of pro- 
visions, artillery, and the munitions of war. Before the march began, a soldier who had 
been tried and condemned at Easton, was executed. Twenty of a German regiment 
were condemned to death for desertion ; but intercession was made for them, a pardon 
granted, and they were restored to the ranks. 

Upon the evening of the 28th of July, Colonel Reed arrived with ninety wagons 
loaded with provisions ; and on July 31st, the whole army was on the march. Meanwhile 
had every movement been watched by the enemy, who resorted to every device to delay 
and harass the advancing anny. Brant, the celebrated Iroquois Chief, attacked its right 
flank. McDonald, with a combined force of British troops and Indians, led by Hiokoto, a 
veteran Seneca warrior, came down on his left. Messages came from right and left, 
beseeching aid ; but General Sullivan was not to be turned from the grand purpose of his 







\N INDIAN SCOrX. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 139 

campaign, and steadily pressed forward to Tioga Point, near the present site of Ehnira, 
New York, where he arrived on Augiist 11, 1779. 

As already stated, General James Clinton, of New York, had been ordered to co-ope- 
rate with General Snllivan in his expedition against the Iroquois. Crossiijg the Mohawk 
river he came to Lake Otsego, one of the sources of the river Susquehanna, down which 
he was to join Sullivan. Upon his arrival at the lake, he had built two hundred batteaux, 
for the transportation of his army. And here an unforeseen difficulty presented itself 
The water in the outlet was too low to admit the passage of his boats. He immediately 
damned the lake, created an artificial flood, and then suddenh- breaking the centre of his 
dam, produced such a current as sufficed to carry his boats rapidly to the place of junclion 
at Tioga Point, where he arrived on August 22d, midst the cheers of the army under 
Sullivan, and the roar of his artillery. The following account of the battle is taken from 
Miner's History : 

"On the north side of the Tioga river, where there was a bend forming almost a right 
angle, on a steep gravelly bank, the enemy had thrown up a breast work, nearly half a 
mile in length ; this was to be the scene of the final battle. Their works were masked by 
shrubs stuck in the ground as if still growing. The divisions of the army soon took 
position, and all was ready for the attack. General Sullivan promptly gave orders to Poor 
to scale the hills on the right, rouse the Indians from their lurking places at the point of 
the bayonet ; press on with spirit ; give them no time to shelter themselves behind the 
trees, and then to wheel, fall on their left flank and rear. Prodlor took good position and 
played vigorously with his artiller\\ Parr with his whole rifle corps was acftively engaged. 
Spalding and Franklin, with the Wyoming troops, were in the thickest of the fight. 
General Hand, led his infantry gallantly into the storm of battle. Generals Clinton and 
Maxwell, with their forces, were held in reserve, impatient at their restraint. Tlie enemy 
contested the ground with determined resolution until Poor had cleared the hills of the 
sharp shooters of the enemy, and was coming down like an avalanche on their left flank 
and rear, when their whole force broke and fled with precipitate haste. 

"The enemy did not attempt to rally, nor was further resistance offered to the advance 
of the combined armies. About thirty were killed in the battle, and a number wounded. 
But there was not a moment's delay. The dead were buried ; the wounded cared for ; and 
then the destruction of the enemy's countr}' was commenced. It was the last of August. 
Corn and beans were ripening in the fields ; these and all other vegetables were destroyed. 
An orchard of fifteen hundred peach trees, bending with ripening fruit, near an Indian 
town, between the Seneca and Cayuga lakes, was destroyed and the trees cut down. The 
combined armies, nearly four thousand strong, marched through, laying waste the whole 
country. Forty Indian towns were laid in ashes, the largest containing one hundred and 
twenty houses. Ever}- field of growing com was destroyed and ever)' cabin burned. 
The quantity of corn destroyed was estimated at 160,000 bushels." 

The work of devastation occupied the army for one month. The orders of General 
Washington, already referred to, had been obeyed to the ver)- letter ; and the combined 
armies returned from the field of viclory. The army of General Sullivan came down the 
north branch of the Susquehanna to Wilkes-Barre ; and from thence marched to Easton 
over the road made but a few months before. On their arrival the soldiers were "billeted" 
upon the town. An officer passed through the streets and marked upon each house the 



140 



THE HISTORY OF 



number the familv must entertain. Yet their stay was brief, and in a few days Easton 
resumed its peaceful habit. 

The expedition thus broug^ht to a successful close was one of the most remarkable in 
the war of the Revolution. No better evidence of its importance can be given than the 
adlion taken by Congress in relation thereto, on Thursday, 0(?tober 14, 1779. "A letter 
of the 9th from General Washington was read, enclosing a letter of the 28th of September 
from Major General Sullivan, at Chemung, giving an account of his successful expedition 
against the hostile Indians. Whereupon, on motion of Mr. Gerry, it was, Resolved, 




ACROSS THE DELAWARE — THE "WEIGH-LOCK" AND "MOUNT PARNASSUS" FIFTY YEARS AGO. 
[from a DRAWING BY MRS. M'CARTNEV IN 1835.] 

That the thanks of Congress be given to his Excellency, General Washington, for dire(5ling, 
and to Major General Sullivan and the brave officers and soldiers under his command for 
effecftually executing an important expedition against such of the Indian nations as, 
encouraged by the Councils and conducted by the officers of his Britannic Majesty, had 
perfidiously waged an unprovoked and cruel war against these United States, laid waste 
many of their defenceless towns, and with savage barbarity slaughtered the inhabitants 
thereof Resolved, That it will be proper to set apart the second Thursday in December, 
next, as a day of general thanksgiving in these United States, and that a committee of 
four be appointed to prepare a recommendation to the said States for this purpo.se. The 



EASTOA\ PENN'A. 141 

members chosen : Mr. Root, Mr. Holton, Mr. Miihlenberj>^, and Mr. Morris." Journals of 
Congress, Vol. Ill, pp. },•]■] ^ 378. Against such contemporaneous testimon^■, the carping and 
disingenuous comments of Bancroft, in his Historj- of the United States, Vol. X, pp. 
230, 231, 232, can have little weight. 



There is but little known of the history of Easton in the concluding years of the 
war. Business was prostrate, and the closest economy required. A further disheartening 
complication arose from the depreciation of the public money. The expenses of the war 
had been heavy, and the calls upon the people for clothing, food, and military stores, very 
many. Bills of credit to a very large amount had been authorized by Congress in the 
year 1779, in addition to previous issues. On February 3, 1779, an issue was resolved of 
$5,000,160; on February 19, following, a further issue of $5,000,16; on April i, fol- 
lowing, another issue of $5,000,160; on July 17, following, further issues of $15,000,280. 
See Vol. Ill, Annals of Congress, pp. 195, 207, 242, 324. Thus more than $30,000,000 
were authorized within five months. There could be but one result ; specie disappeared 
from circulation. The entire paper currency issued amounted to $200,000,000. Confi- 
dence was lost. Taxation could not be resorted to, for the country was poor, without 
trade, agriculture, or commerce abroad. Hence great exertions were made to give value 
to the currency. ^Meetings were held throughout the State for this purpose. Among 
them was one held at Allen township, in this count)', at the house of John Siegfried, at 
which Colonel Henry Geiger presided, and Robert Traill was secretary. Addresses were 
made and resolutions passed, expressing a belief that this currency would be redeemed. 
But these exertions were fruitless ; the bills sank steadily in value, until in 1781, they 
became nearly worthless, as is shown by the following receipt of an Easton inn keeper for 

entertaining an agent of the State : 

"Easton, March 17, 1781. 

To nip of toddy 10 dollars. 

" cash ... S 

" cash 12 

'■ I bowl of punch 30 " 

" I bowl of punch 30 

" I grog 8 •• 

" washing 49 

" I bowl of punch 30 " 

" I grog 8 •• 

" I bowl of punch 30 

" 21 quarts of oats 62 

" hay 90 

" 12 meals \-ici:uals 260 

" lodging 40 

Total 667 

Received the contents of the above. 

J.\COB OPP, Inn Keeper." 

See History of the Lehigh Valley, p. 109. The liquor bill was $146. This was 
probably then the leading hotel ; for the first pavement of which we now have any account 
was laid from the Public Square to "Opp's Tavern," at the corner of Northampton and 
Hamilton streets, now the Central Hotel. 



142 THE HISTORY OF 

The depreciation of the currency became of such grave public concern that it was 
regulated by legislation. In Dallas' Laws, Vol. I, p. 882, it was enabled, "That the fol- 
lowing scale of depreciation shall be the rule to detennine the value of the several debts, 
contradls, and demands, in this aft mentioned compared with silver and gold:" 

One thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven. 

January, one and a half. J"b'. three. 

February, one and a half. August, three. 

March, two. vSeptember, three. 

April, two and a half. O(5lober, three. 

May, two and a half. November, three. 

June, two and a half. December, four. 
One thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight. 

January, four. July, four. 

February, five. August, five. 

March, five. September, five. 

April, six. 0(5lober, five. 

May, five. November, si.x. 

June, four. December, six. 
One thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine. 

January, eight. July, nineteen. 

February, ten. August, twenty. 

March, ten and a half. September, twenty-four. 

April, seventeen. Oiflober, thirty. 

May, twenty-four. November, thirty-eight and one-half. 

June, twenty. December, forty-one and one-half. 
One thousand seven hundred and eighty. 

January, forty and a half Jul.y. sixty-four and a half 

February, forty-seven and a half August, seventy. 

March, sixty-one and a half. September, seventy-two. 

April, sixty-one and a half. 0(ftober, seventy-three. 

May, fifty-nine. November, seventy-four. 

June, sixty-one and a half December, seventy-five. 
One thousand seven hundred and eighty-one. 

January, seventy-five. February, seventy-five. 

This a(fl was passed April 3, 1781. We have given this table that our readers may 
realize, in some measure, the condition of affairs, when the war of the Revolution was, 
pra6lically, ended by the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, Ocflober 19, 1781. 

The following list of the taxable inhabitants, with the valuation of their property, in 
1780, will show who then resided here : 

Henry Alshouse, Sr., joiner .^435 

Henry Alshouse, Jr., joiner 49 

Philip .\clienbach, laborer 120 

Jacob Able, inn keeper 260 

keeper of the ferry 680 

Henry Baniet, tanner 970 

Abraham Berlin, Esq 325 

Abraham Berlin, Jr., blacksmith 130 

Jacob Berlin, blacksmith 260 

Widow of Henrj- Bush, inn keeper 406 

Widow of George Bush, inn keeper 69 

Ernst Becker, baker 143 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 

John Batt, skindresser ^^224 

Chris. Bittenbender, skindresser 161 

George " nailor ig^ 

Henry Brown, tailor 126 

Nathaniel " " 280 

John Brotzman, " oy 

John Bishop, " 4S 

Peter Batchman, joiner ... ■52 

Henrj' Bush, carpenter 25 

George Balmer, surveyor gj 

John Coleman, barber 48 

John Deebler, miller 48 

Peter Eahler, gaoler 107 

Andrew Epkelmyer, laborer 6^ 

Arnold Eberhard, weaver 18^ 

George Erufreed, blacksmith 260 



143 



Henry p'ullert 



390 



Nicholas Funston, farmer -540 

James " '• 48 

Lewis Gordon, (Est.) 24^ 

Jacob Grotz, Sr. , farmer 143 

" " Jr., carpenter 146 

Abel Gibbons, skindresser 48 

and the house he lives in 48 

Myer Harts, storekeeper 2095 

Michael " " lyoy 

and the house he lives in 464 

Adam Hay, weaver 07 

Christian Holland, nailor 1^0 

Abraham Horn, joiner 48 

and the house he lives in 48 

Jacob Hernt, innkeeper 82 

and the house he lives in 250 

Conrad Houseman, butcher 48 

and the house he lives in 48 

Christopher Hartzell, joiner 151 

R. L. Hooper, Jr., D. Q. M. G'l 1760 

John Hatfield, cooper ^o 

Henry Hain, carpenter 25 

Conrad Ihrie, Sr., innkeeper 351 

Jr., treasurer 114 

John Kary, carpenter 25 

Peter Kachline, Sr., miller 2095 

Andrew " igc 

Lewis Knouse, saddler 29: 

Abraham Labar, tailor 545 

Michael Lehn, laborer 48 

Widow Lyons, shopkeeper 78 

Andrew Ledlie, physician 46S 

Burnard Levi, storekeeper • 260 

John Mush, shoemaker 245 

John Myer, farmer 148 

John Murphy, watchmaker 161 

Widow Nungesser, innkeeper 620 

and the estate I,I2 

John Nicholas, butcher 746 



144 



THE HISTORY OF 

Jacob Nunnemacher, cooper ^i86 

Joseph Nathan, shopkeeper 291 

Jacob Opp, innkeeper 829 

Michael Opp, weaver 273 

Christian Pfeiffer, shopkeeper 297 

John Reese, tailor 245 

Jacob " " 20 

John Randal, shoemaker 20 

Widow Reeger, " 82 

Lewis " mason ........ no 

Adam Reeser, laborer 84 

Conrad Rohn, " "4 

Peter Reghter, cooper 48 

Herman Snyder, " 349 

Peter " tanner 760 

John Simon, hatter 232 

Cath. Spering, " 69 

Lewis Shaub, joiner 69 

Frederick Shouse, mason 326 

Henry " joiner no 

John vSpangenberg, shopkeeper 298 

John Shock, innkeeper 585 

Theophihis Shannon, innkeeper 801 

George Taylor, esqnere 82 

and the house he lives in 285 

Nicholas Traill, shoemaker 161 

Robert " " 3/8 

Adam Yohe, Sr., " 380 

" Jr., " . . 25 

Henry Young, locksmith 97 

John " armorer , 232 

Michael Yohe, shoemaker 232 

David Wagoner, miller 1151 

Frederick " innkeeper . 255 

Robert Levers, prothonotary 82 

SINGLE FREEMEN. 

Thomas Anderson, commissions 200 

John Herster, laborer 160 

.\dam CrafFt, tailor 170 

Christian Shouse, joiner 170 

John F'unston, laborer .' 170 

Isaac Berlin, armorer 170 

Robert Hannon, tailor 150 

Morits Bishop, watchmaker 160 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 145 



HON. SAMUEL SITGREAVES. 

The famih- of Hon. Samuel Sitgreaves was of English origin, and settled at Lan- 
cashire, England, as early as 1626. In September, 1729, a descendant came to Philadelphia, 
where William Sitgreaves, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born, December 
14th, in the same year. He married Miss Susanna Deshon, at Boston, Mass., in the year 
1756. Their children were ten in number, four daughters and six sons. Of these, four- 
three sons and one daughter — died in infancy. Another son died at Germantown, near 
Philadelphia, and was buried there. Of the remaining sons, Samuel was bom in Phila- 
delphia, March 16, 1764. 

Mr. William Sitgreaves was a merchant of wealth and position in his day ; and gave 
to his son Samuel every advantage in acquiring an education. Philadelphia, even at that 
early day, was well supplied with schools, taught by graduates of the best of the English 
Universities. After completing his course of studies, Samuel entered his father's counting 
room, where he acquired a thorough mercantile education and a systematic method of 
condu(5ling business, which was observed throughout his eventful life. 

Philadelphia was at that time a centre of social and intelledlual culture. From 
Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, and the West Indies, came the children of planters 
and merchants, to her schools and her University. After 1765, the Medical Department 
of the University, established in that year, with four professorships, became the centre of 
medical teaching on this continent. 

Though too young for military service, yet it cannot be doubted that he eagerly 
\v'atched the progress of events throughout the war; and when in 1781, from the tower of 
the old State House, came the cry: "Twelve o'clock and Cornwallis is taken;" which 
first, when doubtingly repeated, quickly ran through the whole city, we can well believe 
he was one of that joyous throng of shouting freemen who assembled round that historic 
building. There can also be no question that he was a most careful observer of both state 
and national affairs, between the close of the Revolution and the adoption of the Federal 
Constitution, September 17, 1787. He had personal knowledge of the defedls of the 
Articles of Federation, and he was therefore peculiarly prepared to comprehend the nature 
and advantages of the new national government. His eager mind caught the underlying 
principles of free government, "of the people, by the people, for the people;" and he 
thus became, at a later day, when a member of Congress, a powerful aid to Washington 
and the elder Adams. 

After the completion of a thorough academical and mercantile education, Mr. Sitgreaves 
became a student at law with Hon. James Wilson, one of the most able men of his day, a 
Signer of the Declaration, a member of the Provincial Convention of Pennsylvania in 
1774, of the Continental Congress, and one of the first Judges of the Supreme Court of 
the United States, appointed by President Washington. James A. Bayard, of Delaware, 
afterwards Congressman and Senator from that State, and one of the Commissioners for 
negotiating peace with Great Britain, after the war of 181 2, was a fellow student. 

Young Sitgreaves was admitted to the bar, at Philadelphia, September 3, 1783, being 
then in the twentieth year of his age, with a reputation for talent, learning and ability, 
already well established. Soon after, on November 27, 1783, he married I\Iiss Francenia 



146 



THE HISTORY OF 



Allibone, of that city. Three children were born of this marriage, the first two in Phila- 
delphia, and one in Easton, September 9, 1786. The name of Samnel Sitgreaves appears 
on the records of the conrts of this county as early as 1779. 

In 1786 he removed to Easton, where he became very prominent, both as an advocate 
and statesman. In 1790 he was elecfled a member of the Convention to form a Consti- 
tution for the State of Pennsylvania. In that body he took a most prominent part, advo- 
cating with great ability the most liberal features of that instrument, which is an 
embodiment of the fundamental principles of a free government. Among his colleagues 




\RI>KN STkKF.TS — iSjs 



in this Convention were Albert Gallatin, member of the fourth, fifth and sixth Congresses, 
and Secretary of the Treasury from 1802 to 1814; United States Senator in 1793-4; 
Thomas McKean, a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Governor of the State from 
1799 to 1808; Simon Snyder, afterwards Governor from 1808 to 181 7; William Findlay, 
Governor from 1817 to 1820; Joseph Hiester, Governor from 1820 to 1823; James Wilson, 
of whom mention has been made, and others, then the ablest men of the State. Of such 
men was Samuel Sitgreaves the peer in every regard. 

His reputation so rapidly extended that he was elected a member of the fourth and 
fifth Congresses, 1795-6-7-8. Though he was but thirty years of age, he became, at once. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



147 



among the foremost in debate ; and early distinguished himself in the defence of President 
Washington, who had refused to send the documents relating to Jay's Treaty to the 
House of Representatives. A careful examination of the Congressional Reports shows 
that few members were heard more frequently in debate during his four years of Congres- 
sional life ; and as was to be expe(?ted, every effort bore the impress of a vigorous and 
cultivated intelle<!:l, fully fitted for the work of preparing and laying deeply the founda- 
tions of the temple of liberty, regulated b\- law. Meanwhile, he had lost the wife of his 
youth. He was married a second time, at Philadelphia, June 6, 1776, to Miss Maria 
Angelina Kemper, a daughter of Mr. Daniel Kemper, of New York City, at the house of 
Dr. Jackson, an uncle of the bride. Mr. Sitgreaves was then a member of Congress from 
this State. 

Probably the most brilliant periods in the life of this distinguished man were his 
advocacy of Jay's Treaty, in 1794, and his mission to England, in 1800. It was his 
fortune to have served in the last Congress of Washington's administration, and the first 
of President John Adams. Very serious difficulties had arisen between Great Britain and 
the United States, growing from unsettled boundaries, and the attacks of the former 
power upon our commerce ; war seemed inevitable. To avoid this calamity. President 
Washington resolved to send a special messenger to London to effe6l an amicable arranp-e- 
ment of the points in dispute, and nominated John Jay, then Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court of the United States, who resigned in order to accept the appointment of special 
minister. He was successful in his mission, and a treaty was agreed upon, November 19, 
1794, which arrived in this country in March, 1795, just after the adjournment of Con- 
gress. At a Special Session of the Senate, called in June, the treaty was ratified. It 
needed only the signature of Washington. Meanwhile the treaty was surreptitiously 
procured and published, without the accompanying documents and correspondence. It 
was criticised, dissecfted, and condenmed, with much passionate declamation. Its merits 
were concealed, and its objectionable features censured and exaggerated. Public meetino-s 
were held, and resolutions passed, condemning the treaty and intended to intimidate the 
Executive. The first resolutions came from Boston, and were forwarded by an express, 
which overtook Washington at Baltimore, on his way to Mount Vernon. The time had 
now come for adiion. The popular affecftion for France and hatred of England had so 
disturbed the public mind, that an unbiassed judgment was impossible. Washington, in 
the quiet shades of Mount Vernon, calmly considered the treaty and the resolutions and 
addresses sent to him. He determined to approve the treaty, returned to the capitol, 
summoned his cabinet and submitted the question of signing the document immediatelv. 
The cabinet approved, with the exception of the Secretary of State, Edmund Randolph ; 
and the treaty was signed, August 18, 1795. Its enemies, confounded by this decisive 
aclion, determined to obstrudl its operation, by refusing the funds required. It was in the 
midst of these bitter strifes, at the incoming Congress, that Samuel Sitgreaves took his 
seat, as the member from this Congressional Districft. Petitions against the treaty came 
in abundance. At this juncture, and for the purpo.se of a renewed opposition, a resolution 
was passed in the House of Representatives, calling upon the President for the instruclions 
given to Mr. Jay, and all of the correspondence and documents relating to the negotiation 
of the treaty. The crisis was momentous. After calm and mature deliberation, the 
President sent a message to the Hou.se, refusing the request, and in candid and respecftful 



148 THE HISTORY OF 

terms showing that the Constitution had placed the power of making treaties in the 
Executive, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The friends of the reso- 
hition were not prepared for this refusal ; and a heated debate followed, lasting many days, 
and ver>' remarkable for "passion, party zeal, eloquence, and argument." In this debate 
Mr. Sitgreaves took a most a(5live and a leading part. His speech was pronounced by 
cotemporaries to have been one of the most powerful of all those made in defence of 
Washington's course. The House yielded, possibly as much from expediency as from 
convitlion ; gave the necessary appropriations, and the treaty passed from the reach of 
Congressional action. 

But the ability, learning, and zeal of Mr. Sitgreaves had attracted the attention both 
of Washington and Adams. By Art. VI of Jay's Treaty, provision was made for the adjust- 
ment of debts claimed by English subjedls from citizens of the United States to the 
amount of $25,000,000. This was to be settled by a mixed Commission of five members — 
two from England, two from the United States ; they to choose a fifth Commissioner. 
The Commission was to meet in Philadelphia. 

The American Commissioners were Thomas Fitzsimmons and Samuel Sitgreaves ; 
the English, Thomas MacDonald and Henry Pye Rich. The fifth Commissioner was 
John Guillemard. The first meeting of this Commission was held in May, 1797. Pro- 
ceedings were suspended, July 19, 1799, and never resumed. The reason is explained in 
the following letter from Mr. Pickering, Secretary of State, to Rufus King, Minister at 
the Court of St. James, September 4, 1799: "A letter received from Mr. Fitzsimmons 
informs me that Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Pye Rich, English Commissioners, were going 
to embark for England in the Packet to sail from New York this week. I do not know 
that this step, if it could be prevented, should be objected to, because I see no probability 
that the business of the Board can be executed by the present members. There appears 
an incompatibility of temper, if I am rightly informed ; it would be difficult for any set 
of American Commissioners to adl harmoniously with Mr. MacDonald, unless they pos- 
sessed such weak and yielding dispositions, as to submit implicitly to his dogmas." 

The Commission began its session in May, 1797, just at the outset of President John 
Adams' administration; and suspended, July 19, 1799, a period of more than two years, 
during which time little progress had been made. Further negotiations were transferred 
from Philadelphia to London. Art. VII of the Treaty related to claims of American 
merchants for vessels captured and property destroyed in the war then waged between 
France and England ; and were to be settled by a mixed Commission in London, similar 
to that which met at Philadelphia. Neither Commission had finished its labors, when 
that at Philadelphia dissolved. President Adams had anticipated the transfer, and had 
resolved upon a vSpecial Commission to Great Britain. The interests of the United States 
had been advocated with as much firmness and zeal by Mr. Sitgreaves as those of 
England by Mr. MacDonald. Certainly his conduA met the warm approval of the Gov- 
ernment and the people; for his commission bore date, August 11, 1798, and he was 
confirmed by the Senate, December 20, 1798, soon after the meeting of Congress. 

As the English members of the Commission did not leave this country till September, 
1799, Mr. Sitgreaves did not arrive in London until 1800, because the required preparation 
for his mission could not be made until the deliberations of the Board were suspended. 
Application was made by the author of this history to the Department of State at Wash- 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 



149 



ington for the instrucftions given to Mr. Sitgreaves on the eve of his departure ; but none 
were found, and it is believed that they were either verbal, or contained among his papers, 
when the}' were afterwards destroyed by a fire which happened at his home in Easton. 
But from the letters written by him to his family we learn that his mission related princi- 
pally to financial matters contained in Articles VI and VII of the Treaty. It is certain 
that the interests of the United States had been belittled and disregarded, as also that the 
smiles and blandishments of British diplomats had hitherto prevented that full acknowl- 
edgment and recognition of our rights, which was so es.sential to a speedy settlement upon 
a basis, mutually honorable and satisfactory to both nations. It was at this juncture that 
the new Commissioner arrived at his post. He was then in the prime of manhood, of fine 
presence, and fully prepared, both by mental accomplishments and education, aided by 
more than two years of careful examination of the matters in dispute, for the settlement 
of the points at issue. The appointment had been peculiarly judicious, and it is not sur- 
prising that an adjustment was speedily attained, which gave satisfaction to all concerned. 
All financial differences were finally adjusted in convention, Januars' 8, 1802. 

Meanwhile Thomas Jefferson had been elected President. Mr. Sitgreaves, upon his 
return to his native land, abandoned the realm of politics forever, and entered with zeal 
upon the duties of his profession, at Easton, to which he gave the remainder of his life. 

A most important event in the public life of Mr. Sitgreaves was the impeachment 
of William Blount, one of the Senators from the State of Tennessee. In 1797, Mr. Blount 
was impeached by the House of Representatives for having intrigued, when Governor of 
the Territory, to transfer New Orleans and the neighboring distridls to Great Britain, bv 
means of a joint expedition of English and Indians. He was expelled from the Senate, 
and the process was therefore, after a protracfted discussion, dropped in the hou.se. 

This impeachment took place in the spring and summer of 1797, at the beginning of 
President John Adams' administration. The United States were at peace with the world, 
but England and Spain were at war. The latter claimed dominion over the Floridas, and 
Louisiana, and the former coveted that possession. Suddenly, as by a fire in the night, 
the administration was startled by the fear of war with the Indians and with Europe. 
Senator Blount had written to a Mr. Carey, a Government Agent, among the Indians of 
the South. His letter disclosed the fa6l that he had already agents in Florida and Louis- 
iana, striving to detach the tribes there located from their allegiance to Spain, and to incite 
them to war against her colonies. Another agent had already been sent to Europe to 
further the project. By other letters it was disclosed that an English fleet would be sent 
in due time upon the coast to render the aid needed. It was also disclosed that Mr. Blount 
expected a large reward for his services. President Adams had early information of the 
plot, and at once sent a message, with the papers, to the Senate and House. Mr. Sitgreaves 
had just been re-ele6ted to the latter body, and at once took a leading part in advocating 
an impeachment of that Senator. He fully realized its importance as a precedent ; and 
at once moved that the Senator be impeached by the House of Representatives and the 
American people for high crimes and misdemeanors. Upon the adoption of this reso- 
lution, Mr. Sitgreaves then moved that a messenger be appointed to appear at the bar of 
the Senate and inform that body of the action of the House. Objeclion was made to the 
announcement of the action of the House until the articles of impeachment could be 
drawn, so that both might be presented at the same time. Mr. Sitgreaves then showed 



I50 THE HISTORY OF 

that he was following stri(5lly the precedent established in the impeachment of Warren 
Hastings ; and that immediately after the passage of the vote for impeachment, Mr. 
Burke was appointed the messenger to convey the resolution of the Commons to the House 
of Lords. The House was convinced, and Mr. Sitgreaves was appointed as messenger to 
convey its adlion to the Senate. He then, with the dignity and solemnity befitting the 
occasion, approached the bar of the Senate, and announced that "William Blount, Esq., 
a member of that body from Tennessee, had been impeached by the House of Represen- 
tatives and the whole American people, for high crimes and misdemeanors ; and that articles 
of impeachment would be presented and the same made good." 

He then returned to his seat in the House, and at once moved that a committee be 
appointed to prepare articles of impeachment, with power to sit during the recess and to 
send for persons and papers. The resolution was adopted and he was appointed chairman 
of the committee. This was at the close of a special session of Congre.ss. During the 
recess following, articles of impeachment were prepared, and presented when the next 
Congress assembled. Mr. Dallas, in behalf of the defence, then answered that as the 
accused was not an officer of the government, nor a member of the Senate, the Court had 
no jurisdidlion. Senator Bayard replied for the prosecution, and Mr. Dallas was again 
heard in defence. The prosecution was finally dismissed for want of jnrisdi6lion ; and the 
point settled, that a Senator of the United States, who has been expelled from his seat, is 
not, after such expulsion, subject to impeachment. See Wharton's State Trials, 264, 290, 
317 ; note. 

It was also the privilege of Mr. Sitgreaves to clearly establish the law relating to 
treason against the United States, in the trials of John Fries, in.the years 1799 and 1800. 
The country was yet new, and the people were not well instructed in their duties to the 
government of their own making. Hence came "Shay's Rebellion" in Massachusetts; 
and later the "Whiskey Insurredlion " in Western Pennsylvania, which became so formida- 
ble that President Washington sent an army of fifteen thousand men to subdue it. The 
leaders were tried and convicfted, but afterwards pardoned. 

Yet there was still an idea that odious taxes should be resisted by force of arms. 
There was comparatively a small national revenue from taxes on importations. The 
needs of the government for its necessary expenses and for interest upon the public debt 
were great and pressing. Therefore a dire<ft tax had been laid on land and hou.ses, which 
was in part regulated by the number of windows in each house. It was the duty of the 
assessors to measure both houses and windows in order to estimate the tax. Serious resis- 
tance was made by the inhabitants of Northampton, Bucks, and Montgomery counties. 
Assessors were driven off and intimidated, until at length an open resistance was made. 
The insurgents appeared, armed with swords, rifles, and pistols. John Fries, who lived 
in Lower Milford township, now in Lehigh county, was the leader of the malcontents. 
He was bold and fearless in his opposition to the tax, and yet unwilling first to cause the 
shedding of blood. 

The insnrredlion culminated at Bethlehem, in this county, where the officers of the 
government held some prisoners who had been arrested, preparatory to taking them to 
Philadelphia for trial. Fries appeared with his adherents, and forcibly rescued them from 
the officers of the law. The government promptly quelled the uprising and arrested the 
leaders. P'ries was indicated by the Grand Jur)-, in the DistricSt Court of the United States, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 151 

April II, 1799. The leading Counsel were Mr. Sitgreaves for the government, and Mr. 
Dallas for the prisoner. The trial was ably conducted. Though Fries had pracftically 
confessed his guilt and signed his confession, Mr. Sitgreaves declined to take advantage 
of it, but rested his case upon the evidence produced. The Acl of Congress of 1790 had 
provided "that if any person or persons owing allegiance to the United States of America 
shall levy war against them, or shall adhere to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort 
within the United States or elsewhere, and shall be thereof convicfted in open Court or on 
the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt a6l of the treason whereof he or they 
shall stand indidled, such person or persons shall stand adjudged guilty of treason against 
the United States and shall suffer death." This clause in the Constitution was substan- 
tially the same as a provision in the Statute of Edward III, upon which the best legal 
ability of England had been engaged. For a judicial exposition of that clause and that 
statute, the reader is referred to 4 Cranch, U. S. S. C. Rep., pp. 75 to 137. Trials of 
Burr, Bollman and Swartwout. But the pivotal question, what is a levying of war 
against the United States within the meaning of that statute, was first and finally settled 
b>- the argument of Mr. Sitgreaves in Fries' case. He contended that there must be an 
actual levying of war, carried into some practical operation and effect, and throughout the 
prosecution, held the testimony to this, as the real issue. Mr. Dallas appealed to the 
sympathies of the jury and plead his client's penitence for his acts; but the reply of Mr. 
Sitgreaves was that this showed only that the prisoner was sensible of the wrong he 
had done. 

It is very plain from the proceedings of the trial which have been handed down to us 
that Mr. Sitgreaves deeply realized the gravity of the case. It was already the second 
insurrection in the one vState of Pennsylvania alone. The general government had been 
but lately inaugurated ; and by slow and painful steps was it rising to a place among the 
family of nations. But the power of self-protection, of subduing insurrection at home, 
was of the very first importance, and the argument of Mr. Sitgreaves shows how thoroughly 
he comprehended the tremendous responsibilities then cast upon him, and how well his 
duties were performed. 

Fries was found guilty, and sentenced to death by Judge Chase, who had presided at 
tlie trial ; but through the clemency of the National Executive he was finally pardoned. 
The labors of Mr. Sitgreaves may be better understood, when we add that at the time of 
this trial he held his appointment as a member of the commission, under Jay's Treaty, 
as before referred to. 

He returned to Easton in 1802, and thereafter was its most prominent citizen, first 
in every good work. In the Act of September 23, 1789, incorporating the Borough of 
Easton, he was named as " Town Clerk;" and it was drawn by him. He was also one of 
the orignal members of the Delaware Bridge Company, wrote the act of incorporation, 
and, for many years, was secretary and treasurer. Most of the stock certificates, the 
originals of which, with the transfers of the intermediate holders, are yet in existence, in 
the hands of the present owners, were signed by him. He was also one of the founders 
of the Easton Library, and of the Easton Bible Society. 

After his return to Easton, he gave his attention mainly to the practice of the law. 
He became a leader at the bar throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. He was then in the 
prime of his mental and phvsical powers, of splendid personal presence, of most dignified 



152 



THE HISTORY OF 



yet courteous manners. He made the most exadl preparatiou for the trial of the cases in 
which he was concerned, and most careful briefs, not only of the law, but of the fa<fts. 
His manner before the court and jury was respectful, grave and impressive. His practice 
became ver\' large, and so continued to the end of his life. 

In his day, Easton was the business centre of a very large extent of country, reaching 
to the New York line on the north and the Susquehanna on the west. Turnpikes were 
the sole means of communication and transportation. Mr. Sitgreaves took great interest 
in their support and management, especially in "The Easton and Wilkes- Barre Turn- 
pike." From the year 1816 to 1827, ^^ '^^^ the president of the Easton bank; and by 
his financial skill and watchful care did much to establish its reputation and to give to 
it that large share of public confidence which it has for so many years enjoyed. 

His was an a6live, busy life ; yet withal, was his home the centre of a most generous 
hospitality. His garden was an attradlion to all who visited the town. It extended from 
Spring Garden to Bushkill, and from North Third to North Second street. It was filled 
witli flowering trees and shrubs, and its borders contained most of the rare roses and 
flowers to be found in England and this country. He was the soul of honor, possessed of 
the strictest integrity, and his word was ever as his bond. In his professional capacity he 
was as remarkable as a sound and safe counselor, as he was fertile of expedient, adroit in 
management, profound in law learning, and eloquent in advocacy. Beyond question, was 
he in the front rank of the advocates of his time. His study of the great orators of 
antiquity, with whose writings he was familiar, his acquaintance with the best writers of 
modern times and his practical opportunities of hearing the most cultivated statesmen 
both of Great Britain and the United States, tiniting with his own native genius, invested 
him with a superior and powerful eloquence, rarely exceeded, in this country. 

"He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one, 
Exceeding wise, fair spoken and persuading ; 
Lofty and stern to them that loved him not, 
But to the men that sought him, sweet as summer." 

He was the founder of the Protestant Episcopal church of Easton. The regular 
services were first held at his own house at the corner of North Third and Spring Garden 
streets, and were conducfled by himself and Mr. John Dolby, for more than one year, 
when Rev. John Rodney, deacon, was sent here by the Society for the Advancement of 
Christianity in Pennsylvania. Mr. Sitgreaves gave the church site. When in England, 
he drew the model of a rural parish church and brought it with him on his return. The 
first church was built after this plan, and was often called the "White Church," as its 
walls were of snowy whiteness, which in summer time, were beautifully contrasted with 
the foliage of the surrounding trees. It was the child of his affeCtion, the objeCl of his 
care and his prayers. He was most faithful to his church, throughout his eventful life. 
He was never "ashamed of the gospel of Christ," for he held it to be "the power of God 
unto salvation unto every one that believeth. " 

He was aClive in his professional pursuits until the year 1826, when his health began 
visibly to decline. He died April 4, 1827, aged but sixty-four years, and was buried in 
the church-yard, near the church he loved so well, which has been, for so many years, his 
memorial and his monument. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 153 

If, after contemplating the splendid parts of his public and professional character, we 
shall inquire for the milder virtues of humanity, we shall find the beneficent and social 
qualities of private life, through all its forms and combinations, so happily blended with 
stri6l integrity and sincere piety, that, in the fullest measure, he may be said to have 
been great and good ; with all 

"The elements 
So mixed in him, that nature might stand up, 
And sav to all the world, this was a man." 



Note. — Rev. John Rodney died at Germantown, Pa., September 28, 1886. He was a member of the family 
of Hon. Caesar Rodney, of Delaware, who was one of the leaders in the Council of Safety and Committee of 
Inspedlion, of that State, before and during the Revolution ; a signer of the Declaration of Independence ; 
member of the Continental Congress from September 15, 1774, and a Brigadier General in the Revolutionary 
Anny. 

Rev. John Rodney was born August 26, 1796, and was graduated at the college of New Jersey, Princeton, 
in 1816, being at the time of his death the oldest graduate of that institution and the oldest clergyman in 
order of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States. Soon after his ordination by Bishop White, he 
became the first rector of the church at Easton, where he remained till the year 1825, when he was called to 
the rectorship of St. Luke's, at Germantowu, which be held more than three-score years. 

He has left a most exceptional record in his long, successful and continued service in one community, 
ministering to three successive generations with great acceptance, winning, and retaining to the last, the love, 
respecfl and confidence of all who knew him. 



THE HAY FAMILY. 

Malcolm Hay, the father of Melchoir Hay, was born in Scotland. Political reverses 
led him to Germany, where, after serving with honor in the military' duties in his adopted 
country, he married a German woman, and settled at Zwei-Breucken, Bavaria. The name 
Melchoir coupled with the name Hay indicated the mingling of the blood of the Scotch 
and Gennan nationalities. Melchoir Hay came to America with his two brothers in 1738, 
one year before David Martin built his Ferry House at the "Point." He settled on the 
land where South Easton is built. He assisted Messrs. Parsons and Scull in surveying 
and laying out the town of Easton in 1750, and thus early took an interest in the begin- 
ning of Easton life. In 1771, he purchased a tracft of land, consisting of twenty-six acres, 
of Israel Morris, of Philadelphia. The same year he bought from Peter Rush and wife 
another tradl of three hundred and seventy-five acres ; and we learn from the count}' records 
that there were six acres allowed for roads. This tra{5l was a part of ten thousand acres 
bought of William Penn. The deed to Melchoir Hay is dated August 9, 1771 ; the land 
embraced in the deeds being bounded on the north "by the Lehigh river. Many who 
bought land of the Proprietaries in those days bought subjecl to "quit rents;" but in the 
column opposite the assessment of Mr. Hay's property are the words "no quit," showing 
that he bought the property in fee simple. This laud was sold by Mr. Hay in 1796, to 
Jacob Eyerley, of Nazareth, who, in 1798, sold it to Henry Snyder, of Easton, for $2133.33. 
The land was used for farming purposes until the comj^letion of the Lehigh Canal, and 



154 THE HISTORY OF 

the upper portion is still used for that purpose. Mr. Hay donated a large lot and bur\'ing 
ground to the church, which still bear the names "Hay's Chapel" and "Hay's Bur\ing 
Ground." Melchoir Hay took an a(ftive part in the trying struggle of the Revolution, 
and was eledled among the first a member of the Committee of Safety, and was one of its 
efficient members. He was captain of the company raised in Williams township. This 
company consisted of one hundred and four men. Many of his descendants served with 
distinction in the war of 1812, the Mexican war, and the late civil war. The patriotic 
spirit of 1776 still lives in the hearts of his children. After the close of the Revolution, 
Melchoir Hay, having sold his South Easton property, bought a large farm about three 
miles west of Easton, in the locality called the "Drylands," where he and his descendants 
have tilled the soil for generations. A great deal of this property is still held by his grand 
and great-grand sons. Melchoir Hay had a son named after himself. This second IVIelchoir 
was the father of Abraham Horn Hay, Peter Hay, George Hay, Melchoir Hay, Charles 
Hay, and John Hay. Abraham Horn Hay was the father of Jacob Hay, the late Andrew 
J. Hay, Thomas J. Hay, and Peter Hay, all of Easton. 

Jacob Hay is one of Easton' s most successful merchants ; is at the head of the large 
wholesale dry goods house of Hay & Sons, situated in Hay's Place, and Hapgood, Hay & Co. 's 
wholesale boot and shoe house, 339 Northampton street. In 1854 he married a daughter 
of the late Alexander Wilson, Sr., who was a fitting representative of that sturdy race of 
Scotch- Irishmen who have indelibly put their impress upon the affairs of our Common- 
wealth. Jacob Hay has four children : Thomas A. H. Hay, who married Helen, elder 
daughter of Brig. General Thomas H. Ruger, U. S. A., and who has three children, 
Helen, Anna, and Ruger Wilson Hay ; Annie W. Hay, who is married to Hon. x^sa W. 
Dickinson, Collector of the Port of Jersey City, N. J. ; Ida Wilson Hay, and William O. 
Hay. The laudable desire to be land owners is just as acflive in the hearts of the Hays of 
the present day as in the heart of the founder of the family one hundred years ago. Jacob, 
the great-grand son of the first Melchoir Hay, is a large owner of real estate in Easton, 
and has great faith in the future expansion of our town. He has done more than any one 
man to beautify and improve the north western secflion, and enhance its value by exten- 
sive purchases of land, laying out and grading streets, and preparing a large tracfl for 
building purposes. He began in 1871, just one hundred years after his great-grand- 
father purchased the large tra6l in what is now South Easton, to buy lands west of 
Twelfth street and north of Northampton street. He purchased twelve tracts, comprising 
one hundred acres — a part within and a part outside of the town limits. His obje6l in buy- 
ing this land was to beautify and adorn it, and set it apart as a place for suburban residences 
of a high order, for himself and family and friends. In the locality of Easton, teeming 
with beautiful sites, this seems the only place set apart and dedicated to this purpose on 
so large a scale. The tra(5t extends from Twelfth to Seventeenth streets, and from North- 
ampton to W^ood streets. On this land Mr. Hay has spent annually large sums in 
grading and embellishing. Fourteenth street, near the centre of his land, is a veritable 
park, adorned with elegant villas, lined with beautiful shade trees and .shrubbery, and 
accessible by handsome drives. In 1871 he ere6led the first house on this property 
at a cost of $25,000, on the block bounded by Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. Bush- 
kill and Wood. In 1881 this house was consumed by fire, the family narrowly escap- 
ing death. We append an excellent picture of the house thus burned. A few years later 



EASTO X, PEJVN' A . 



155 



Messrs. William Laubacli and Floyd S. Bixler, built handsome residences on Fourteenth 
street. Captain Hay has always evinced a spirit of enterprise and liberality in our town 
affairs, which might well be emulated by others. He gave the entire ground covered by 
Fourteenth street, from Northampton to Wood streets, to the public, although it cost him 
two thousand dollars. He then curbed and paved it in a most substantial manner, at 
an expense of many thousand dollars, and planted trees, making it the handsomest residence 
avenue in Easton. He has since laid out and macadamized private drives and walks 
at a great outlay of money, in which the public share the benefit and pleasure without 




FIRST HOUSE ERECTED ON NORTH FOURTEENTH STREET, EASTON — RESIDENCE OF 
CAPT. JACOn HAY — DESTROYED BY FIRE JANUARY 29TH, 1881 . 



cost. Mr. Hay has expended in the vSeventh Ward about $100,000 in lands and improve- 
ments. A little fa6l, unknown to most of our people, will more fully illustrate the magni- 
tude of his improvements, and others whom his enterpri.se has attracted to this localit}*. 
In 1871 the total taxes of that particular portion of the town were fourteen dollars ; now 
they are over sixteen hundred dollars per annum. This quite clearly shows the benefits 
do not all accrue to himself, but the public shares in the profit arising from the invest- 
ment. After the destruction of his handsome house in 1881 he purchased the house of 
Mr. Floyd S. Bixler, which he enlarged and improved. INIajor Thomas L. McKeen has 
since built an elegant home on the site of Mr. Ha\'s original house. Mr. Herman 
Simon, our enterprising and successful silk manufaclurer, has since built a beautiful home 



156 THE HISTORY OF 

adjoining Major McKeen's, which is also a handsome home. Another fine dwelling 
has been eredled by Mr. William Gould Heller immediately opposite. Mr. C. M. Hapgood 
is now engaged in building the largest and most costly residence in the neighborhood, at 
the corner of Northampton and Fourteenth streets. 

When Captain Hay began his enterprise it seemed far out of town. People had been 
accustomed to look upon Easton as mainly centering at the Circle, and were not prepared 
to witness the rapid growth of that portion of the town in the last few years. The suspen- 
sion bridge has brought South Easton and West Easton into close relation, which will also 
aid its growth. The new railroad to come down the Bushkill will also add impetus to the 
growth of this part of the town. This beautiful locality, of which Captain Hay has been the 
pioneer, will soon be occupied by a busy population. Easton seems to have started upon a 
new period of her growth, and at the only point where growth is possible. Business 
cannot always be confined in its present boundaries, but will follow the population 
westward. 



THE GREEN FAMILY. 

William Green'"', ancestor of the families of that name in this region, dissatisfied 
with some new relation in his father's family, left his native land, England, at the early 
age of twenty, and landed at the port of Philadelphia. Soon after, desirous of returning, 
and finding no vessel about to sail from that port, he went to New York, but not meeting 
with an opportunity immediately, visited Long Island. He there became acquainted with 
the family of John Reeder, recently arrived from England, whose sister, or daughter, 
Joanna, in process of time, he married, and removed to Ewing township, about 1700. 
He purchased three hundred and forty-five acres of Colonel Daniel Coxe, the deed bearing 
date 1712, and on it eredled the first brick house in the township, which is still standing, 
having on the west end the date 1717, and is owned and occupied by his descendant of 
the fifth generation, Henry Green. His qualities were such as to give him distinction, 
for he was appointed one of the first judges of Hunterdon county, and from the frequent 
mention of his name in public affairs and important business transa6lions, he was evidently 
a prominent and useful citizen. His children were: Richard'-'; Joseph*^'; William'-''; 
Benjamin'''; John; Jeremiah, who removed to North Carolina; Isaac, married, and 
removed to Sussex county, N. J., where his descendants are to be found ; Joanna, Sarah, 
Esther, and Mary. Of the daughters, there is no record. He died, as is indicated by 
his antique tombstone in the Ewing church-yard, in 1722. 

Richard'^', son of William'"', who died 1741, married Mary, daughter of George Ely, 
of Trenton, and had children: Richard"''; George'''; Rebecca, wife of Samuel Moore; 
Christiana, wife of Joseph Moore ; and William, who died 1754, probably unmarried, or 
without children, as he leaves his property to his brother Richard, ^300 to his eldest 
sister's three sons, Richard, William, and Elijah Moore ; a legacy to his youngest sister's 
three sons, Ely, Moses, and Ephraim Moore ; also to his mother, Mary ; and his plantation 
to his brother George, when ig. 

Richard"'', son of Richard '=', who died 1797, married Phebe, daughter of Nathaniel 
Moore, whose children were: William R., Nathaniel, Richard, Enoch, John, Samuel, not 



E ASTON, PENX'A. 157 

married, Benjamin, Joseph, George, Rebecca, wife of William B. Green, Sarah, wife of 
Samnel Moore, and Mary, married Daniel Stillwell, and went to Ohio. 

Richard*'"', son of Richard'*^'', married, first, Martha, daughter of Christopher Howell, 
by whom he had a daughter, Martha, wife of Charles Reeder. By his second wife he had : 
Ely, Mary, Elizabeth, and perhaps others. He lived in Pennsylvania. 

John''^'', son of Richard <'^', one of the first settlers of Easton, Pa., died March 9, 1854, 
aged 88, having married Rhoda, daughter of Daniel Howell, who died September 19, 
1859, aged 73. Their children are : Enoch ; Charles, married first, Elizabeth Maxwell ; 
second, Mrs. Latimer ; Richard, married Sarah, daughter of Samuel Sherrod, of Wash- 
ington, N. J. ; William, Elizabeth, wife of David Deshler, and Lydia. 

Enoch *''^*, son of John*"'', married, first, Mary, daughter of George Beidelman, and 
had children : Ellen, wife of Whitfield S. Johnson, a lawyer of Sussex, and for several 
years Secretary of the State of New Jersey, whose children are : W^illiam M., a lawyer of 
Hackensack, Mary M., Emily E., Laura C, Elizabeth B. , Margaret G., and Ellen Green ; 
George B., married Ann Disbrow, resides in Jersey City ; Mary, wife of George Woodruff, 
merchant of New York ; John, Joseph ; Henry, a graduate of Lafayette College, a lawyer 
of Easton and judge of the vSupreme Court, married Ann Hulsizer, of Easton, has chil- 
dren : Caroline, wife of Hiram Howland, of Indianapolis, Frances, wife of Henry E. 
Potter, of Orange, N. J., Frederic, and Ada; and Margaret, married Henry Johnson, a 
law}er of ]\Iuncy, Pa. Married, second, Catharine Teneyck, of Princeton. 

William "'5)^ son of John'"'*, married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Beidelman; 
and, second, Jane Sherrard, and had children : Sarah, wife of Rev. John Kugler, of War- 
ren, N. J. ; Theodore, married Miss Kinsey ; Frank, John, Louisa ; Mary married Rev. 
William Thompson, of Stewartsville, N. J. ; Howard, Miriam, and Emily. 

Benjamin *'3', son of Richard *°', removed to Easton, Pa.; died 1852, aged 82, having 
married there, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Traill, a lawyer, and by her had children: 
John, Traill ; Robert Traill, married Catharine Van Camp ; Elizabeth, wife of John Stewart, 
of Greenwich, N. J. ; and Maria, wife of Enoch Clark, of Monroe county. Pa. 

Dr. Traill*-'', son of Benjamin*'-', a physician, honored with the degree of LL. D., 
professor of chemistry in Lafayette College, and the liberal donor of funds to that college 
to establish an observatory. He married Harriet, daughter of Loammi Moore, of Morris- 
town, and has children : Ella, Frances, and Edgar Moore. Edgar Moore Green recently 
graduated at the University of Pennsylvania with the highest honors of his class, and is 
now pra6licing medicine with his father in Easton, Pa. His daughter Ella is married 
to Dr. Charles Mclntire, of Easton. 

Prof W^illiam Henry *3''', son of George S. *^°', was born in Groveville, N. J., January 
27, 1825; graduated at Lafayette College, Pa., 1840; studied theology in the Princeton 
Seminary ; was for three years assistant teacher of Hebrew there ; was pastor of the Cen- 
tral Church, Philadelphia ; thence he was called, in 185 1, to be a professor in the Princeton 
Theological Seminary, where he now is. Among his publications are, a Hebrew Gram- 
mar and Chrestomathy, a Commentary on Job, a Vindication of the Pentateuch, from 
Colenso's Aspersions. He married, first, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen Colwell, 
of Philadelphia, who died March 29, 1854, aged 26 ; second, Elizabeth Hayes. Their 
children are : Mary Elizabeth, wife of William Libbey ; and Helen Hayes. 



OLD HOTELS OF EASTON. 



Important Factors to Business — The Remark of Thomas McElrath — The Hotel at the Point — The Old Mora- 
vian Building — Bull's Head, its History — White Horse Hotel — Black Horse Hotel — White's Hotel ; Chippy 
White — Holiday Life at the Hotels ; Best Man ; How Settled— Old Hotel Buildings that Remain. 




E TAKE the following from a journal of Frederick Push, a botanist, who 
traveled through the country in the interest of science : "May 27, 1807 — at 
fonr o'clock this morning, we left Philadelphia, the stage being remarkably 
fnll of passengers and goods, which made it very disagreeable traveling ; the 
road abont twenty-five miles from the city got very bad and hilly ; we broke 
down the stage twice, bnt hickily withont any injury to ns ; arrived at 10 
o'clock at Easton ; took up lodging at Abraham Horn's, sign of the Golden 
Swan." This was seventy-nine years ago, and the Swan Hotel remains, 
thongh the golden sign has disappeared. This will give ns some idea of 
traveling in those days. The hotels of Easton have always been an impor- 
tant fa(ftor in the business of the town. The Durham boats early became 
a means of transportation for all kinds of farm produces, and attracted farmers from a large 
region to Easton as the best market they could find. While riding quite recently on the 
Central road of New Jersey the author met with Mr. Thomas McElrath, one of the 
original founders of the New York Tribitiie^ who said: "When I was a boy I lived in 
Williamsport, and the farmers of that region brought their grain to Easton and sent it to 
Philadelphia in the Durham boats." This is a distance of a hundred and fifty miles and 
shows how difficult it was in those days to obtain money. Many an old farmer could say 
with the Apostle Peter, ^^ Argcntiim et aicruvi uon est milii^''^ and they were willing to drag 
their producfls through snow drifts in mid-winter and spend half of the value of their load 
to convert the remainder into money. The farmers came from far up the North and 
West Branches of the Susquehanna, making an area of nearly half the State, having 
Easton for a market. This necessitated good hotels to accommodate the sturdy farmers 
from far and near. 

The first hotel established was that of Craig & Anderson, next to the jail lot, fronting 
the Square, which obtained a license at the first session of the court in 1752. This house a 
few years after came into the possession of Christian Rinker, who for many years was the 
landlord. Of its history these fa6ls only remain. 

The second hotel was at the Point. The landlord was Nathaniel Vernon. David 
Martin had passed away. During his occupancy of the log ferry house it was used for 
no other purpose, and only became an inn after the establishment of the county and laying 
out of Easton. The license was first refused and afterwards granted. There is not a 
hotel in the State which has so strange a history as the first log house of Easton. The 
travel to and from New Jersey for a large region passed over this ferry. It was sufficiently 
large as a ferry house, but when it rose to the dignity of a hotel it must be enlarged, and 
this was accomplished by the adding of .sheds to the sides, thus making it great 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 159 

enough to contain the gatherings when the Indian treaties were made here. The ferry 
was used for sixty -six years, until the bridge at the foot of Northampton street was com- 
pleted in 1805. All the treaties spoken of in the early part of this work were concluded 
at this historic spot, and centered in and around this simple log strudlure. The influence 
of these great treaty gatherings annoyed the French and gave great aid to the Eng- 
lish while these nations were waging a fierce and bloody war for the mastery of a conti- 
nent. Had the nineteen Indian tribes which these treaties combined and turned against 
the French been marshalled against the English, the result might have been a French 
instead of an English vitlory. A. deep interest was felt and a keen watch was kept in 
Paris and London while these fierce nations were gathering at the Point. Had a building 
like the United States Hotel, on Third street, occupied the position, it would have been 
more in keeping with the august gatherings, led on by the Governors of Pennsylvania 
and New Jersey, and Kings Teedyuscung, Beaver, and Paximora, skilled in savage war- 
fare. There is no other building in the past history of Easton around which cluster so 
many associations. How long it lasted, or when it disappeared, history does not inform 
us. But as the business increased the venerable old building, whose walls had echoed 
to the eloquence of Teedyuscung and the chiefs of the Six Nations, became affecfted with age 
and gave place to another, still standing at the Point. The building is owned by Mr. William 
H. Hazzard, and is the second building from the comer. It is built of massive logs and 
seems strong enough to have withstood the battering rams of Alexander's army. The great 
logs have been smoothed off and washboards nailed upon them. One log is still seen pro- 
truding above the plastering. The old building is so strongly built that nothing but fire 
can destroy it. Its old chimne\- might have answered well for a tower of an ancient city. 
Its walls, doors and windows remind one of ante-revolutionary days. It has been said 
by some that Washington was in Easton but once ; but I have it from a member of the 
Abel family that Squire Jacob Abel ferried General Washington across the Delaware at the 
Point, and that he lodged in the upper room of this second hotel building. One of the 
grand children told the author that the General was watched by tories and spies, and 
hence he tried to escape observation. When the great bridge over the Delaware was com- 
pleted the ferry ceased to be used, but the Durham boats maintained a large commerce on 
the river, and their place of shipment was on the bank, from the Point to Christian Butz's 
storehouse, above the bridge. The boatmen made the hotel their temporar>^ residence, 
and the imagination need not be greatly strained to get a glimpse of many a boisterous 
and jolly time. The boats would be fastened along the banks of the Delaware and in the 
mouth of the Lehigh, while these "river marines" were making merr}- at the inns of 
Jacob Abel and John Nicholas. The house occupied by Mr. Hazzard was built subse- 
quently to the house adjoining and became a much more pretentious hotel. In those days 
there was no partition dividing the hall from the front room. The front door opened into 
the large room and large folding doors separated this room from the bar-room. In the 
northeast corner of this room, enclosed by a circular front, stood the bar. The floor was 
always ready for the "tripping of the light fantastic toe." Two or three times a week 
the merry dancers would come and remain till the rising of the morning star told them it 
was time to go home. An old lady now ninety years of age remarked to the author : 
"This was the place for frolics." The young farmers would come with their sweet-hearts 
and engage in "runnin<r the riu"- and tracing the maz\- round." An old citizen describing 



i6o THE HISTORY OF 

to the author these "old times," sadly remarked: "Yes, those were pleasant days. 
There was not so much distiu6lion in society then as now. Working girls and daughters 
of wealthy parents would dance side by side. There were no big-bugs or little-bugs, but 
all stood nearly on a common level. ' ' These old houses have marvelous stories told of their 
past history. "A young girl was stolen from the room where Washington slept in the old 
house ; has never been heard from since, and the old house has always been hatmted. If 
some young people will look up the old stairway into the dark attic they would not ven- 
ture into the darkness for fear of seeing more ghosts than one. " " O, Mrs. Hazzard, ' ' said a 
old lady, "if you knew the deeds that have been done in this place you would not live 
here." The times have changed. The recolle6lions of the past can be preserved only 
by the historian. The Point was the scene of attivity and life until the construcftion of 
canals and railroads. The boats have been cut into fire wood, the hotels turned into 
dwellings. It will be difficult to find a more beautiful spot than the veranda of this now 
neat and comfortable house. Names intimately conne<fted with the history of these 
famous hotels are David Martin, Nathaniel Vernon, Daniel Brodhead, Lewis Gordon, 
John Green, and Jacob Abel. 

There was formerly an old hotel standing on the west side of South Third street, on 
the corner of an alle)' below Ferry. This was called the Washington Hotel, and it has 
an interesting history. The atithor has not been able to find any account of it in any 
works he has consulted. There is an allusion to the building while in process of erection, 
in the history of the "Crown Inn" of Bethlehem, but it is very brief Mr. Ethan- A. 
Weaver kindly consulted Mr. Jordan of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, in regard 
to the matter, and he very generoxisly examined old papers sent from Bethlehem, with the 
result indicated in this narrative. When the old building was torn down in April, 1873, 
the pastor of the Moravian Church came to Easton to examine the corner stone in hope of 
finding some account of its eredlion, but nothing new was discovered. The following 
letter from Mr. John W. Jordan gives the information which has been sought. The letter 
is addressed to Mr. E. A. Weaver, and is as follows : "My dear sir. I took advantage of 
yesterday, there being not many visitors here, to examine the contents of several boxes 
packed away since 1879, and was fortunate enough to find numerous drafts of lands 
belonging to, or adjacent to, those of the Moravians in Northampton county. Among the 
number — a draft of Easton — the county town of Northampton, in Pennsylvania, and of 
the out-lots proposed to be laid out for accommodating the inhabitants thereof, with the 
ferry land, and other lands opposite to the same town, surveyed by William Parsons. 
This draft also contains plan and description of the house and lots owned by the Mora- 
vians in Easton. I copy the following from the Bethlehem diaries and account books : 
'1752, June 27, Brother Horsefield, who had been commissioned a Justice of the Peace for 
the new county of Northampton, went to Easton to the first session of the court and took 
up two lots for us, situate on Ferry street ; 1760, 0<flober 7, the house and lot in Easton 
staked off; preparations began to build on the laud, and that a well forty feet deep had 
been dug; 1761, May 2, timber floated from Bethlehem to Easton to build the house.' 

"From the Congregation Ledger: '1760, November 29, first item in the account: 
Frederick Schaus did the mason work ; Jacob Bosch did the carpenter work ; Henry Als- 
house the roofing with shingles; Abraham Berlin did the blacksmith work ; 1761, May, 
expenses at laying the corner stone, 8s., 4d. Jost Vollert was the agent of the Moravians. 



EAST ON, PEN.W-i. i6i 

From November 29, 1760, to June, 1762, there was spent on the building _^34i, i6s. and 
I id. This messuage, together with the two contiguous lots on which the building stood, 
numbers 121 and 122, situate on Ferry and Pomfret streets, bought of the proprietors in 
1757, at four shillings apiece ; and one whole lot on the same street, sold to the Easton 
Lutheran Church Wardens, Adam Yohe, Conrad Steuber, Abraham Berlin, and Valentine 
Opp ; April 18, 1763, by Bishop Nathaniel Seidel for four hundred pounds. March 16, 
1765, the church wardens paid in full." 

Accompanying this letter is a sketch of the building, as well as a description. It was 
forty feet front, twenty feet deep, and two-and-a-half stories high. On the lower floor 
were four rooms, and the second story was one entire hall. There were six dormer win- 
dows — five windows in front of the upper stor\' and four in the lower stor}-, with a large 
double door in the centre. This hotel was kept for a time by a Mr. Bachman, and hence 
it was sometimes called Bachman's Hotel, though its proper name was the Washington 
Hotel. The building was never occupied by the Moravians. The corner stone was not 
laid till Ocliober 8th, 1761, and sold to the Lutherans of Easton, April i8th, 1763. The 
Lutheran Church occupied it until 1776, a period of thirteen years, when they removed 
to the German Reformed Church, Third street, which building was eretted by the two 
congregations jointly. The room in the upper stor\' was used as a drill room during the 
Revolutionary war. The building was also used for a time as a poor house, where the 
poor of the town and probably of the surrounding towns in the county were cared for. 

There is a fine brick block now standing in the place of the old structure, owned by 
Louis Roesch, Philip F. Stier and C. Kilian's estate. The property was purchased from Mr. 
Henry G. Tombler, who bought it of Mr. Frederick Lerch ; this gentleman bought it of 
Sheriff Bachman, who purchased it of Jacob Abel, who it is supposed bought it from the 
Lutherans. What strange vicissitudes this once prominent building has passed through ! 
Built by, and sanctified by the prayers of the noble Moravians of Bethlehem, and after- 
wards dedicated to the worship of God by the Lutheran Church of Easton. In the first 
stor}- of this old house the first pastor of Easton resided and preached in the large hall in 
the second floor. This pastor was Rev. Bemhard Michael Hansihl. Dr. Richards is of 
the opinion that his pastorate lasted until 1769. He was succeeded b\- Rev. Christian 
Streit. The first Vestr)', while the Lutheran Church worshiped in this old Moravian 
Temple, were Melchoir Stecker and Frederick Kuhn, Elders ; Michael Lehn, Frederick 
Gwinner, Johannes Ries, and Conrad Ihrie, Deacons. When the Union Church was 
finished on Third street, this was sold, changed to a hotel and continued as such until 1873, 
when it was taken down in the presence of the pastor of the Moravian Church of Bethle- 
hem, who was searching for historic papers supposed to lie concealed in the corner stone. 
Thus has this historic stru<?ture passed awa\- like the generations who built it and wor- 
shiped in it, who have joined 

"The innumerable caravan which moves 
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take 
His chamber in the silent halls of death." 

And no doubt man%- have 

"By an unfaltering; trust approached their grave 
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." 



l62 



THE HISTORY OF 



The author found au old tax list of 1817 iu the hands of Mr. B. M. Youells, from 
which he gained much knowledge of the liotels and landlords of that time. 

At the foot of South Third street, near the Lehigh, was a hotel kept by John Sletor 
and afterwards by his sons, Thomas and John ; the latter kept it until after the Rebellion. 
It was at one time the Ferry Hotel. 

On the southwest corner of Lehigh and South Third streets was a hotel kept by Wil- 
liam Diehl and John Brotzman. William obtained the license. ThisW'illiam was the son 










VIKW OF TItl-. r.NIOX HOUSE, SOUTH THIRIi STKHF.T, 

[formerly the bull's head.] 



of Jacob Diehl, the old court crier. He afterward kept the Bull's Head, and later a hotel 
on Front street. His occupation was a boatman on the canal, and on the Delaware with 
Durham boats. 

The Bull's Head Hotel (now ITnion House) is still standing on South Third street, and 
is at present occupied by Francis Ward. It is Iniilt of stone, having the same surface appear- 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 163 

ance as the old jail. It was formerly called the Nungesser Hotel, from the name of the 
landlord. There is no date when it was bnilt, but we have learned from prominent citi- 
zens that it was about or near the time when the first jail was erecfted. Frederick Nungesser 
was the great-grandfather of the late Governor Reeder. Hon. Howard J. Reeder, of Easton, 
has now in his possession the innkeepers' license granted to his great-great-grandfather by 
Gov-ernor Denny in 1759. It is justly prized as a relic. The author has now lying before 
him a similar license granted Mr. Nungesser by Governor Hamilton in 1760. The name 
is spelled Nnncaster. The document is signed in a large and beautiful hand by Governor 
Hamilton. There is no doubt that the same workmen built the Bull's Head who built 
the first jail and the old Moravian House. The old Parsons building, on the corner of 
South Fourth and Ferry streets, has the same surface appearance ; it was finished in 1757. 
The Bull's Head is undoubtedly one of the oldest houses in Easton, built near the time 
of the Parsons mansion. The license thus signed by Governor Hamilton is in possession 
of George I. Nungesser, a great-great-great-grandson of Frederick. The Bull's Head was a 
noted place in old times for dancing parties, especially during the holidays. It was also 
the locality for political meetings ; the first Jackson club was formed in it. There may be 
some yet living who remember when the old Jackson pole was cut down that stood in front 
of the hotel. At a meeting of the club a resolution was passed "to take the tree down 
and make it into canes for each member of the club." The tree was cut down, then the 
club assembled in front, and by the use of hand spikes it was carried by the members to 
Fifth street, through Northampton street, to a place near where the Lutheran Church now 
stands, where Francis Jackson's cabinet warehouse was situated. Major Straub and Samuel 
Horn, with fife and drum, led the procession. Here the tree was worked into canes which 
were taken to the club room. The club met and each member was presented with one. 
After the presentation speech a line was formed, and with a band of music at the head the 
members marched through town, and closed with a grand banquet at Nubby Shule's hotel 
at the Point. 

South of the Bull's Head, on the same side of the street, just below, was a hotel kept by 
Jimmie Hays of "Bully Whack" memory. There are many who will remember him by 
that name. This was a place of resort for old citizens to drink cider and talk over the 
events of the day. The visitors were fond of sitting and hearing Jimmie tell Irish stories 
and see him "Bully Whack" the rebellious customers out of the house. His "Bully 
Whack" was a large club, like an Irishman's shillalah. This house is now occupied as a 
stove store by Mr. A. F. Heller. 

On South Sitgreaves street, in the rear of Mr. James Young's coal yard, stands an old 
building which, doubtless, has an interesting history, though little can be learned concern- 
ing it. It is constructed of logs and plastered with mud ; and were it not weather-boarded 
it would appear the old log Ferry Tavern intacl. For many years it has served as a 
stable, and is still used as such by Mr. Young. It will repay the reader to take a stroll in 
that neighborhood and peep under the weather-boards of this building. 

Opposite the Bull's Head, on Third street, was a hotel kept by Peter Ihrie, the father 
of Anthony Ihrie. This was called the Golden Eamb. Peter kept this hotel thirty years. 
It was afterwards kept by James Hackett, the father of William Hackett, President of the 
Easton National Bank. James Hackett moved to and kept the Black Horse Hotel. 

The Black Horse Hotel (see page 146) was a stone structure and stood where the 



164 



THE HISTORY OF 




UNITED STATES HOTEL. 



VIEW OF NORTH THIRD AND SPRING ) 
GARDEN STREETS — 1886- I 



' THE ARLINGTON.' 



present United States Hotel stands. It was a famous resort for raftmen returning home. 
Mr. Hackett was a good hotelkeeper — ver)- popular, — and his house was often crowded. 
He was l^lind when he kept the hotel, and this made him a favorite with the raftmen. 
Mr. Theophilus Hackett was his clerk, and had charge of the business. 

On the north of, and close to the present Police Headquarters, facing on the Square, 
stood a hotel kept by a Mr. Erb, and its sheds and other outbuildings extended from the 
corner of Northampton street up to near Bank street. Of its real history, however, but 
little could be learned. Later a hotel stood where the Easton National Bank now stands. 

While Mr. Gulick was its landlord, British prisoners were quartered in it for a few 

days. Mr. William White also kept this hotel, and maintained it as such until about the 
year 1S14, when the building having been disposed of for the use of a banking house, 
Mr. White moxed into the dwelling on the north side of the Square, now in the occu- 
pancy of the family of the late Matthew Hale Jones, Esq. 

The accommodations furnished by this building proving inadequate to the demands 
of an increasing business, Mr. White eretted the house in which Dr. Amos Seip now 



E ASTON, PENWA. 



165 



resides as an annex to his hotel. Tlie lot on which the latter building stands was origin- 
ally owned by Arnold Everhart, father-in-law of William White. B)- referring to the cut 
of this part of the Square, it will be observed that the property on the corner, now in the 
possession of the Jones family, was occupied by Mr. White as the hotel proper. The 
adjoining small frame house was used as a barber shop b\- Mr. Samuel Finley ; in this 
building B. M. Youells subsequently acquired his skill in the tonsorial art. The double 
two-stor}- house in the centre was used for offices, the first story being occupied as attor- 
neys' offices by Richard Broadhead and Washington McCartney, Esqrs., and Jacob Wey- 
gandt, Esq., J. P.; and the second stor>- by Dr. F. L. Crane, dentist, and Samuel Moon, 
artist. In this building Charles Getter was arraigned on the charge of betraying Margaret 
Lawall, and here he was married by the Squire. In a few weeks afterwards he was again 
arraigned, but under the more serious charge of the murder of her whom he had so 
recently married. Mr. Theophilus Hackett told the author that he was in Squire We)'- 




VIEW OK THE ORIGINAL WHITE'S HOTEL, CENTRE SQUARE. 
[sketch by S. ASHFORD, LAFAYETTE COLLEGE.] 

gandt's office when Getter was brought in a prisoner. The one-story frame on the east of 
the stone building was an e.xacft counterpart of that one referred to as the barber shop. 
This building was used as an office by Dr. Miller, who exercised his medical skill, but 
made no charges. If his patients saw fit to pay him anything, they did, and that was 
right. He must have lived on faith, which might have been done in those days, but the 
experiment would be somewhat hazardous now. The three-story brick building on the 
northeast corner of the Square was the one built and used by Mr. White as already indi- 
cated. The east front room of this house, now occupied as a dental office by Dr. H. F. 
Seip, was the place of meeting of those who assembled and organized Lafayette College. 

John Nicholas, in 1799, bought of Henry Spering, Esq., the lot of ground on the 
northeast corner of Ferry and Second streets, and in 1806, erected the stone building now 
standing thereon for a hotel, and kept it as such until 1832, when he sold it to Dr. Stewart 
Kennedy. For more than a quarter of a century it was the re.sort of the voung people of 



i66 THE HISTORY OF 

that day, when gay festivities and the merry dance was the rnle. It is now the residence 
of George W. Stout, Esq. 

In 1817 Christian Hartzel kept a hotel on Front street, called the "Delaware House." 
This was a prominent resort for Durham boatmen and raftsmen. It was afterward kept 
by David Stem. There was an old hotel kept by Mr. Moore on the south side of North- 
ampton, a few doors from Front street. This was called the " Ferr>' Hotel." Mr. Moore 
kept the ferry and hotel at the same time. This house is now owned by Mr. Bornman. 
A few doors above this, on the corner of Green and Northampton, was a hotel in 181 7, 
kept by Daniel Swander, and it too, was a resort for boatmen and raftsmen. There is 
still a hotel at this place kept by Mr. Robert Gerver, and named The Gerver House. 

Christopher Engle kept a hotel on North Fourth street, at the sign of the White 
Horse. This was the headquarters for lumbermen from over the mountains and for 
fanners bringing their produce to market. At the same time it was a great place for 
dancing and frolics and fighting. This was especially true during the holidays, to see who 
was the best man. It was a common occurrence at the hotels, except White's. At the 
latter hotel, gentlemen from the cities, traveling on business or for pleasure, found repose. 

The "Green Tree" Hotel, now the Franklin, was kept in 1817 by Adam Heckman. 
When he died in 1818 it passed into the hands of William Shouse. In 1817 the Swan Hotel 
was kept by Thomas Sebring. At the same time a Mr. John Yohe kept the Central Hotel. 
After this Christian Butz took it down and rebuilt it. It was formerly two stories high 
and built of stone. The sign of this old hotel was an Indian Chief in full Indian costume, 
which was removed when the house was taken down and the new one built. The Central 
Hotel stand is one of the oldest in the borough. In the early days of hotel life, Adam 
Yohe kept a hotel on the southwest corner of Fourth and Northampton streets. 

"Daddy" Hempt kept a hotel in an old log house, situated on Sitgreaves street, near 
the corner of Northampton, used at one time by John Dawes as a chair factory, where he 
carried on the business on the corner fronting Northampton street. There are many 
people living who remember this old log house. 

We have thus given a sketch of the hotels of former days in Easton. In a historic 
point of view, the old log house at the Point will ever stand most prominent. Its history 
will be read with deep interest. In a social point. White's hotel will be recognized as 
standing first. This was a home for those who sought a temporary retreat where they 
might enjoy rest and a generous fare. The landlord was known, far and near, as a 
most genial, skilled and companionable host. He was a man of very keen wit and ready 
repartee. He could tell a humorous stor\- and crack a joke in such a way as to give life 
to the company without giving offense. For this peculiar power he was called "Chippy 
White." Few names were better known or more pleasantly remembered than his. His 
house was the home for gentlemen from the cities and all parts of the country, traveling 
for pleasure or on business. Those going to the Water Gap or Schooley's Mountain would 
always arrange to stop at White's Hotel. His business increased, and needing more room, 
he moved Dr. Miller's office, cut the stone building in the centre, tore down the eastern 
half, and built the house now occupied by Mr. James W. Long. The ample parlor of this 
house was the dining room of the hotel. Mr. White was very kind to the poor. He had 
tenants who were needy, and many times could not pay their rents, but they were not dis- 
tressed, the debt was not collected. He was sheriff of Northampton county from 1814 to 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 167 

181 7. In proof of his proverbial generous nature it is said, that, while in the discharge of 
his duties as sheriff, an execution was placed in his hands, amounting to one hundred 
dollars, against a widow with a family of children. He entered the woman's house, made 
known his errand, and the mother and children were in tears. To sell the property was to 
turn the family out of doors. The debt was paid by the sheriff and the widow remained 
with the children. 

The other hotels were, most of them, centres of frolic and fun. Dancing was a great 
source of amusement. There would be frequent .scenes of fighting, not from malice always, 
but from a desire to see who was the "best man." The word "best" had reference, not 
to morals, but to muscular force. The man who could whip any other in the town was the 
best man. But manners and customs have greatly changed in the lapse of time. Easton 
then had, as it now has, as good hotels as could be found in the State. 

An incident, charadleristic of the times, is narrated in John Hill Martin's "Historical 
Sketch of Bethlehem, p. 37, of Just Johnson, landlord of the "Sun" Inn, over one hun- 
dred years since : "Johnson was a man of powerful frame, a host within himself Christian 
Gnibb, an iron master of Lancaster county, having heard of Johnson, and being himself 
notorious for his great strength, and also a celebrated boxer, visited the "Sun," on pur- 
pose to get up a fight with the giant Moravian Brother ; but it was not until he had been 
grossly insulted that Just lost his temper ; then suddenly seizing Grubb by his breeches 
and his coat collar, he threw him ov-er the iron railing of the tavern porch to the pavement 
below, saying, "God bless meiner soul, I drows you over de banisters." Grubb was quite 
a heavy man, and being ven,- good natured in the main, was satisfied with Johnson's dis- 
play of strength ; he told him who he was, and why he had visited Bethlehem, and so 
together the\- made merrv over the occurrence." 



THE ABEL FAMILY. 

'Squire Jacob Abel came to this country from German \-, in the early da>-s of Easton, 
and was for many years one of its most prominent citizens. He was born in 1744, and 
was thirty-two years old when the Declaration of Independence was adopted. It had 
been twent)-six years since the Durham boats began the navigation of the Delaware, 
and he had been engaged in the business of boating a part of that time. Being familiar 
with the handling of that craft, a patriot, and in the vigor of manhood, he helped colledl 
the boats for the passage of General Washington's army over the Delaware in his retreat 
through New Jersey, after the battle of Brooklyn. The author learned from Mr. John 
Abel that his grandfather carried the mail to Philadelphia for a time on horse-back. The 
most diredl route from the Eastern States and from places on the upper Hudson to Phila- 
delphia was over the old mine road from Esopus to Van Campen's mills, above the Water 
Gap. While Adams was President, he came from Boston by this route, descending the 
Delaware in Durham boats. The news of the surrender of Burgoyne came over the same 
road, and Jacob Abel carried this news to Philadelphia, and heard the shouts of the 
patriots as they rang through the streets. He owned the Ferry in 1787, and was one of 
five who purchased Getter's Island during the same year, of the Penns. He became 



i68 THE HISTORY OF 

Justice of the Peace, and held the office many \-ears. He kept hotel at the "Point" at the 
same time. His name appears on the tax list of 1788 as one of the large property holders 
of the town. His office was in the stone house that stood where Magee's fruit store now 
stands. In this house he died in 1822, aged seventy-eight. 

His children were Jacob'^'; John*''. Jacob followed the business of transportation, as 
his father had done before him ; first with Durham boats on the Delaware river, and after- 
wards on the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Canals. In the later years of his life he was 
largely engaged in the transportation of coal and merchandise, both on his own account 
and as a partner in the firms of Drake, Wilson & Co., Abel, Berthoud & Co., and the 
Lehigh Transportation Company. He also, for a number of years, kept a hotel at the 
"Point," which was for a long period the centre of a large trade, both before and after 
the building of the canals. He was a very a(flive and energetic business man, and was 
known to all who traversed either river or canals, in New York, New Jersey, and Penn- 
sylvania. His children were William'^'; Jacob's'; George'*'; John S.'''; Samuel"^'; Ann's', 
wife of George W. Housel ; Elizabeth'"', wife of Rev. J. W. Wood, D. D. ; and Maria'"', 
wife of Joseph Stabp. 

William'^' is a resident of Easton, and has no children; George'"' is also a resident 
and has nine children. vSamuel'^' is dead. His widow, Mrs. Valeria Abel, and two chil- 
dren. Dr. Samuel V. Abel, and Nettie, wife of George W. Geiser, Esq., survive him. 

John Abel<3', the brother of Jacob '^', had a large family, of whom but one survives — 
John "-', who is a confe6lioner at No. 237 Northampton street, Easton. He has a large 
family: Louisa, wife of W. W. Cottingham, Esq., Superintendent of Schools; Charles J., 
confe6lioner, of Phillipsburg, N. J. ; Elizabeth, wife of W. E. Hammann, druggist, of 
Easton; Josephine, wife of Mr. G. T. Hammann, of Bethlehem; Emma M., John H., 
Isabella, Edward, and Mary. John was also engaged in boating with Durham boats until 
the opening of the canals, when he carried on boating between Easton and Philadelphia. 
He also, for some years, was engaged in the grocery business in Easton. 

On July 7, 1S25, he was appointed by Governor Shulze a Commissioner for improving 
the navigation of the river Delaware, under the A61 of March 26, 182 1. The first Com- 
missioners were Lewis S. Coryell and John Kirkbride, of Bucks county, and Jacob Shouse, 
of the County of Northampton ; but Mr. Shouse resigned and Mr. Abel was appointed in 
his place. He was engaged for more than three years in this important work. It was 
with him a labor of love, for he knew every rift and fall in it. The transportation of logs, 
lumber, grain, etc., down the Delaware from New York State, and the upper counties of 
New Jersey and Pennsylvania, was then an important business. In fa6l, the public roads 
were so few and so poor that they were not used unless such use was unavoidable. In 
this day and generation, it is hard to imagine the importance of the river communication 
of that day, before the constru^lion of canals ; and it is no small proof of the ability and 
efficiency of John Abel that he was chosen, with such men as Lewis S. Coryell and John 
Kirkbride, for this public service by Governor Andrew Shulze. 



HON. TIMOTHY PICKERING, 




Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. 



ROM the New American Cyclopaedia we learn that Timothy Pickering was 
born in Salem, Massachusetts, July 17, 1745. He graduated at Harvard 
when he was eighteen years of age, and at once became a clerk in the office 
of John Higgins, Register of Deeds for the County of Essex. Living so 
near Boston, he early became identified with the patriotic movements which 
immediately preceded the Revolutionary war. He was elecfted a member 
of the Committee of Safety, and was arrested at the instance of Governor 
Gage for calling a town meeting on public grievances, but was soon set at 
liberty. He wrote ' ' an essay on the Plan of Discipline for a Militia, ' ' which 
was ordered by the Legislature of Massachusetts to be used by the militia 
of the colony. In the autumn of 1776 the army of General Washington 
had become much reduced, and large reinforcements were called for. Pickering took 
command of a regiment raised in Essex and went to the front. In 1777 he was appointed 
adjutant general by General Washington, and was present at the battles of Brandywine 
and Germantown. He was in active service during the siege of Yorktown, and at the 
surrender of Lord Cornwallis. The Revolutionary war having closed, the controversy 
in Wyoming was renewed between the New England settlers and the Proprietary Gov- 
ernment. Conne(5licut claimed that her charter included a large tra<5l of land in the 
Wyoming Valley which had been settled by people from that State. Pennsylvania claimed 
the same territory- as included in the purchase of William Penn, and secured by the 
charter from the English King. A long and bitter contest ensued. Each party felt 
their claim was valid, and were equally determined to maintain their title to one of the 
most beautiful valleys in America. The leader of the Conne6licut people was John 
Franklin, who was fearless, bold and daring ; and the idol of those whom he led. John 
Franklin had been arrested on a charge of high treason. The writ was issued by Chief 
Justice McKean. To arrest him was looked upon as a perilous undertaking. Timothy 
Pickering had been sent to Wyoming to a.ssist in the formation of a new county (Luzerne) 
and use his endeavors to calm the troubled waters, and settle all difficulties. It was at his 
instance that the writ was issued and the arrest made. John Franklin was a man of 
powerful muscles, and he knew how to use them. There was not a man in the valley 
who could take him a prisoner; and so it must be done by stratagem. At the close of 
vSeptember, after a political tour, he had returned to Wilkes- Barre, and was standing near 
the ferry, when a person whom he knew approached and said, "a friend at the red house 
wished to see him." Unconscious of danger he walked down, when suddenly he was 
seized behind and an attempt made to pinion his arms. By powerful efforts he shook 
himself loose ; was again seized, but by the most powerful exertions he kept his opponents 

Note. — As Mr. Pickering was for some time a resident of Easton. the author has felt it at once a duty and 
pri\-ilege to give a sketch of the life of this most remarkable man. He has consulted Bancroft's United States, 
The New American Encyclopedia, Miner's History of Wyoming, and the biography of Timothy Pickering, sent 
by Mr. K. A. Weaver, of the Engineering Department Pennsylvania Railroad, at Philadelphia. 



170 THE HISTORY OF 

from their purpose, till a noose was thrown over his head and his arms confined ; the 
power of four men being requisite to bind him. To get him on horse-back was the next 
obje(5t. Colonel Franklin now cried out, "help! help! William Sloctim ! Where is 
William Slocum?" and drawing his pistol, for he went armed, discharged one of them 
without effe(fl, when a heavy blow struck him for a moment almost senseless, and covered 
his face with blood. The hour had been judiciously seledled, in the midst of seeding 
time. William Slocum, with nearly the entire male population, was in the distant fields 
sowing grain. But the spirit of the good Quaker mother was aroused. Her Yankee 
blood was up. A lovely and amiable woman she was, but for the moment she thought of 
nothing but the release of Franklin. Mrs. Slocum seized the gun, and rtmning to the 
door, "W'illiam," she cried. "Who will call William?" "Is there no 7nan here?" 
"W'ill nobody rescue him?" From the river bank Captain Erbe had taken his prisoner 
into the main street, near Colonel Pickerings ; but with tremendous power, in despite of 
his four captors, Franklin threw himself from his horse as often as placed on him, when 
Colonel Pickering was obliged to come from behind the curtain and decisively interpose. 
Accompanied by his servant, William A. George, he ran to the door armed with a loaded 
pistol, which he held to Franklin's breast, while George tied his legs under the horse, and 
bound him to one of his captors. Colonel Pickering tells the story of binding the prisoner: 
"The four gentlemen seized him, two of the horses were in my stable which were sent to 
them ; but soon my servant returned on one of them with a message from the gentlemen 
that the people were assembling in numbers, and requested me to come with what men 
were near me to prevent a rescue. I took loaded pistols in my hands and went with 
another servant to their aid. Just as I met them Franklin threw himself from his horse 
and renewed the struggle with them. His hair was disheveled and his face was bloody 
with the preceding efforts. I told the gentlemen they could never carry him off unless 
they tied his feet under his horse's belly. I sent for a cord. The gentlemen remounted 
him and my servant tied his feet. Then one taking his bridle, another following behind, 
and others riding, one on each side, they whipped up his horse, and were soon beyond the 
reach of friends." Thus subdued b\- si.x, he was hurried with painful speed to the jail of 
Philadelphia. 

Colonel Pickering had tried all the arts of the diplomatist, all the kindness of the 
Christian gentleman, and all the shrewdness of the politician to bring abovit a reconcilia- 
tion between opposing fa(!:l:ions. And when all had failed he called upon the strong arm 
of the State and hastened a crisis. Rut his turn came ne.xt. All Wyoming was in com- 
motion from Nescopeck to the State line on hearing of the violent abduttion of Franklin, 
and the part Pickering had taken therein. A violent civil war seemed at hand. General 
W'ayne appeared in the valle}-. Oliver W^olcott, of Connecticut, had drawn up a consti- 
tution for a new State. Pickering apprehending violence had fled to Philadelphia, hoping 
the storm of wrath would pass away. The winds of passion seemed to have subsided, and 
Pickering returned to his home in the valley. Yankee vengeance only waited opportunity, 
and that soon came. On the 26th of June, 1788, while he was asleep, at eleven o'clock 
at night, the door of his house was violently opened, and he was ordered to get up, dress, 
and follow them. "Get a warm coat, you will need it," said his captors. In a few 
minutes they left the house and took their march into the darkness. There were fifteen 
men who had him in charge, who, forming a hollow square, placed their prisoner in the 



E ASTON, PENN\4. 171 

centre. "Now," said one of his captors, "write two or three lines to the Executive 
Council that the}- may release Franklin and we will release you." Instantly Pickering 
answered: "The Executive Council know their duty better than to release a traitor to 
procure the release of an innocent man." "Damn him," exclaimed a voice, "Why don't 
vou tomahawk him?" The only design seemed to be to force Pickering to intercede for 
the release of Franklin. In crossing the river, when the water was too shallow for the 
canoe to reach the bank, one of the company carried the prisoner to the shore on his back 
rather than allow him to wet his feet. At another timea fawn had been shot and a choice 
piece was cut and .roasted for him. So that there was much of kindness mingled with 
severity. After being some days in the woods, a chain was brought by one of the 
party ; it was about si.x feet long, and attached to one end was a band like a horse fetter. 
They said : "Colonel Franklin had been put in irons in the jail in Philadelphia and you 
must by put in irons also." They placed the fetter around one of his ankles, locked it 
and bent the key, so that it could not be used without an instrument to straighten it. The 
other end of the chain was fastened by a staple in a tree, and thus one of America's great 
statesmen was chained in the woods like a beast. At other times when halting for the 
night the chain would be wound around the leg of one of his captors so that he could not 
escape in the night without awaking his keeper. He was kept thus for nineteen days in 
the woods, sleeping at night in the open air or in deserted cabins. Rumors came that 
State troops were in pursuit of the captured statesman, and swearing vengeance on his 
captors. They had been heard by Pickering early in the morning while his keepers were 
sleeping. At length Gideon Dudley approached him and said: "Do you wish to be set 
at liberty" "Of course I do," was his answer. "Will you intercede for Franklin's 
pardon?" "No, I will not." "Will you intercede for our pardon?" Knowing them 
personally, and that they were adling under orders from others, he promised his influence, 
and he was finally set at liberty. The last day of his confinement his chain, which he had 
worn for nine days, was taken off; he slept with his guard that night free from the chain 
which had annoyed him so long. He was first awake in the morning, stirred up some 
coarse meal, kindled a fire, placed his cakes on hemlock bark and cooked them for his 
morning meal. As soon as it was light enough to see, he gathered their "green tea," 
which was winter-green and made a cup 0/ tea, his guard awaking in time to enjoy the meal 
which their prisoner had so kindly prepared. No doubt this last breakfast in the woods 
was among the most enjoyable of his life. How quickly and strangely this scene is 
changed ! He went from his chains in the woods of Wyoming to the Cabinet of Washing- 
ton. In August, 1791, he was appointed Postmaster-General. On January 2, 1795, he was 
transferred to the office of Secretary of War, and on December 12, to that of Secretary of 
State. He held this position during the remainder of Washington's administration, and 
for more than three years under President Adams, who removed him frou: office May 12, 
1800. He never inquired into and never knew the reason of his removal. He was Sec- 
retary of State during the exciting times occasioned by the arrival of Genet as Minister 
from France, and the negotiations of Jay's Treaty with England. He safely guided the 
country through this most trying period in the history of the Republic. He had spent his 
salary as fast as he had received it, and was left without an income when suddenly dismissed 
by President Adams. During his ser\-ices in Wyoming, he had acquired possession of ten 
thousand acres of wild land near the fyreat Bend of the vSusquehanna, and fourteen 



172 THE HISTORY OF 

thousand in the western part of the State. He regretted very much that he had not gone 
into the woods instead of going into the Cabinet, and during the eight years spent in 
office cleared up a farm and comfortable home for himself and family. He looked upon 
this eight years as a financial mistake, and determined to rectify it at once. Though fifty- 
five years of age, he would plunge into the wilds of Pennsylvania and hew out a home for 
his family where he could enjoy happiness in his declining years. There was nothing like 
it in our histor}'. He could proudly refer to Cincinnatus, but his farm was cleared ; he 
might quote the lines : 

" Cincinnatus at his plough, 

With more true glory shone, 
Than Ciesar, with his laureled brow, 
His palace and his throne." 

Yet his friends laughed at his projecfl:, ridiculed it, and plead with him to relinquish it. 
But to no purpose. He resolved to place his family in Easton where there were good schools, 
and take one of his sons and go to the forest. He lost no time in carrying his plans into 
execution. His friends offered him money sufficient for comfort, but "he would not take 
a gift while he could dig." He was offered a seat on the bench of the Supreme Court of 
Ma.ssachusetts, "but that would only help to starve him politely," and he refused it. All 
things having been made ready, Col. Pickering, at the end of June, 1800, started, in high 
spirits, on his bold and resolute enterprise. He and his son Henry were at Easton, July 
ist. The month of July was spent in providing for the comfort and support of his family 
here until his return in the winter. He colledled whatever was necessary for his use in 
the woods, and on the nth of August started with his son on his journey, a distance of a 
hundred miles, taking laborers acquainted with the business of making a clearing in the 
forest, a span of horses, a yoke of oxen, chains, axes, and other required articles. In 1794, 
the Academy and the stone school house, comer of Church and Sitgreaves streets, were 
built. Here were the opportunities which Mr. Pickering sought for his children. He 
felt it might be some time before he would be ready to take his family to his new home, 
and here in Easton were good advantages and a good home. He went at work in the woods 
with the utmost energy. His hands were blistered, his limbs were made lame and tired. 
But his strength was invigorated. His free and independent life and the forest air were a 
constant delight. Its mystic silence inspired his fancy and elevated his soul. His 
biographer thinks this the happiest period of his life. The work of the season having been 
accomplished, he returned to Easton, December 10, 1800. He spent a couple of weeks 
with his family and then set out ou a brief visit to his relatives and friends in the place 
of his birth. He was warmly welcomed by his friends in Salem, who determined to induce 
him to give up what they considered a wild proje6l. They had tried ridicule and argu- 
ment without effecft. They now changed their tactics. They spoke in high terms of his 
lands and of his tremendous energy in his efforts to make for himself a home. But he had 
incidentally said that if he could sell enough to realize a sufficient sum to buy a farm near 
his childhood home he would dispose of his Pennsylvania lands. His friends saw their 
opportunity. They ascertained his price, formed a company, and paid him $25,000, and 
Timothy Pickering's toil came to an end. How much the memories of childhood had to 
do in changing his course he has never told us. But it is quite likely that the sweet 
recollections of the home of his vouth helped to wean his affections from the "nn'stic 



EASTON, PENN'A. 173 

silence of the forest which had so inspired his soul." The purchase of the land was a 
business transacftion, though his friends never received a dollar for the land they bought. 
Alexander Hamilton has just fallen in a duel with Aaron Burr ; his family was left poor, 
and the land bought of Pickering was freely given the widow and her children. Picker- 
ing came back to Easton, and spent a short time here. His friends bought a farm for him 
near Salem, Massachusetts, and the family left Easton in 1801. After the commencement 
of hostilities against Great Britain in 1812, he was a member of the State Board of War ; 
from 1813 to 1817 he was a member of the House of Representatives of the United States. 

He was one of the ablest men of his time and possessed the entire confidence of Pres- 
idents Washington and the elder Adams, as well as that of the people of his native State, 
and must ever be remembered as one of the most remarkable heroes in the history of the 
Republic. 

That he had a taste for humor is evident from the following incident. He wrote to 
his son from W^ashington in 1805, saying : "Hand the enclosed slip to your mother when 
opportunity offers. We have a Scotch clergyman here who is one of the Chaplains to 
Congress. He furnished one of my fellow lodgers with two verses written by Robert 
Burns, on hearing a report of the death of Thomas Paine, which are not published in 
Burns' works. I enclose them." The following was the enclosure : 

" All pale and ghastly Tommy Paiue 

Last night goed down to hell ; 

The de\'il shook him by the hand, 

Says Tom, I hope your well." 

" He led him to a furnace hot 
.^nd on him shut the door ; 
Oh, how the devils leap and laugh, 
To hear the rascal roar. ' ' 

iVIr. Pickering died at Salem, January 29, 1829. -^^^ ^'^^ John became an eminent 
scholar, philologist and Jurist. He was the author of a Greek and English lexicon, which 
he commenced in 1814, before any similar work had been undertaken, and, with the assist- 
ance of Dr. Daniel Oliver, finished and published in 1826. 



174 



THE HISTORY OF 







EASTON SCENKRV — "MOUNT IDA," ON THE LEHIGH. SHOWING THE L. & S. R. R. 
TO THE RIGHT, AND SNUFFTOWN TO THE LEFT. 



ROADS--THE FIRST STAGE LINE. 




' N the twelve years of peace, which succeeded the cessation of the Indian 
troubles in 1764, the county and its inhabitants made good progress in ma- 
terial prosperity, and in such public improvements as naturally follow new 
settlements in the wilderness. At the time of the planting of the first set- 
tlements, the onl\- road reaching to them was the "King's Road" — as itwas 
called — reaching from Philadelphia to the Lehigh, at Jones' Island, about 
a mile below Bethlehem. This was really nothing more than an Indian 
trail — the "Minisink Path" — over which the Minsi warriors had, from 
time immemorial, passed to and fro, between the Blue Mountains and tide 
water. This was improved from time to time, until at last it became a good 
and solid road. Next was laid out, a public road from Goshenhoppen, in 
Montgomery county, to Jeremiah Tre.xler's tavern, which stood in what is now Upper 
]\Iacungie township, Lehigh county; then the territory- of Bucks county, and embraced in 
Northampton, at the time of its ere(ftion. This laying out was made in 1732. Five years 
later — 1737 — a road was opened from Nazareth to the Depui settlement at the Minisink, 
and, in 1744, inhabitants petitioned that this road might be continued to the mouth of the 
Saucon, by the way of Bethlehem. They stated that they "labored under great incon- 
venience for want of a road to mill and to market (the latter being at Bethlehem, and the 
former at Saucon Creek); the paths being yearly altered, so that they could not travel with- 
out endangering their lives, and going far out of their way" and they ^sked "that they 
may have a road fit for wagons to pass from Saucon I\Iill to Bethlehem, and thence to Naz- 
areth, on account of a corn-mill that is at Bethlehem, without which road the people of 
Nazareth, and others, the inhabitants of the county, will be put to great inconvenience, 
and the same mill to them be rendered useless." Upon this petition the road was laid out 
as follows: "Beginning at Irish's stone-quarry, at a white oak, thence nortliwest forty 
degrees, north thirty-five perches" and so continuing through the various courses and 
distances "quite to Nazareth, twenty-eight hundred and forty perches." 

Also in 1744, there was laid out, a road from Walpack Ferry, on the Delaware, to 
Isaac Ysselstein's place on the Lehigh. This road was twenty-seven miles, and one hun- 
dred and eighteen rods in length. A road was asked for in the year 1745, to run from 
Bethlehem to the ferry at the "Point" where the Lehigh enters the Delaware, that is, to 
conne6l with the ferry to New Jersey. The petition was granted, but years passed before 
the road was built. 

The next year a road was opened from the German settlements in Macungie, north- 
easterly, to the Lehigh, opposite Bethlehem, and again, in 1747, a highway was petitioned 
for, to run from the Saucon, by way of Bethlehem, to Mahoning Creek, beyond the moun- 
tains, which in due time was granted and laid out. 

Thus it will be seen, that in the projecling, and laying out of roads, the town of 
Bethlehem was made an objeclive point; all the routes of travel radiating from thence as a 
common centre; Bethlehem being, at that time, more considerable in size than any other 
town in the countv. 



176 THE HISTORY OF 

It imist be borne in mind, however, that in those days, in Northampton county, the 
granting of a road was an entirely distinct affair from the building thereof, and in ahnost 
ever}' case, years elapsed between these two operations, as, for instance, the road from the 
Macuugie German settlements, to the Lehigh, at Bethlehem, which was laid out in 1745, 
was no more than a bridal-path, for at least fifteen years, and it was considerably after 
1760 before it became, in any sense, a wagon road. 

And again, in the case of the road which had been laid out from Alartin's FeriA-, at 
the mouth of the Lehigh, in 1745. John Chapman and John Watson, sur^-eyors, had been 
directed to lay out "a commodious road from the mouth of the West Branch of the Dela- 
ware — the landing place of a well-accustomed ferry over the Delaware River — over the 
aforementioned West Branch, into the great road leading from Saucon to the city of Phila- 
delphia," and yet, when Governor Hamilton, on the thirteenth of July, 1752, had occasion 
to pass over this road on his way to Easton, it was discovered that not only had it not 
been built, but that Messrs. Chapman and Watson, had not even so much as laid it out, 
as they had been directed to do seven years before. And it was not until years later than 
this, even, that it was completed for the passage of vehicles. 

So that, in the year 1763, there was not a really good road in the bounds of the county; 
but the best there was, was the "King's Road" from Philadelphia to Bethlehem — striking 
the Lehigh at Ysselstein's Island, and it was over this road that the travel between the 
Capital and all parts of Northampton county passed ; the Durham road, which struck the 
Lehigh at Easton, being, to all intents and purposes, impassable. 

It was over this road, too, that George Klein, of Bethlehem, made the first trip with his 
"stage-wagon," in September, 1763. After that, he ran regularly between that town and 
Philadelphia, making the round trip weekly — that is, he started on Monday mornings, 
from the Sun Tavern, in Bethlehem, and on his return, he set out from the inn, called the 
"King of Prussia," on Thursday morning of each week. This inn stood on Race street. 
It is not known whether or not this "stagewagon " line proved profitable to the proprietor, 
but certain it is that it continued its trips, through fair weather and foul, and was the 
pioneer of all the stage-lines which succeeded it in the county. 



The first regular stage route to Easton was established by Frederick Nicholas, in the 
year 1796. One trip a week was made, leaving Easton on Monday mornings. It was not 
until 1815 that trips were made daily. Packages of money and small parcels were carried 
by the drivers. We cannot better illustrate the mode of travel in those days than by tran- 
scribing from Martin's "Historical Sketch of Bethlehem" the following advertisement 
which appeared in the Philadelphia Advertiser oi .\'pr\\ 5, 1798 : 

"Philadelphia, Allextown, Bethlehem .\nd Wind Gap Stages. 

"The subscribers respectfully inform the public that they will start a line of stages, to 
set out at the Wind Gap at Mr. Jacob Hellers, on Saturday the 18th of April, 1798, at one 
o'clock in the afternoon, and arrive at Bethlehem same evening. Another stage will start 
from Bethlehem at five o'clock next morning, at which time an extra stage will start from 
Allen town from the house of Jacob Hagenbuch, and fall in with the line at Mr. Cooper's 
(Coopersburg) ; then proceeding to Mr. Samuel Sellers' (Sellersville), where another stage 
will set out immediately and arrive at Mr. Ely Chandlers' Franklin Head, Philadelphia, 



EASTOX, PENN'A. 



177 



same evening. Set out from E. Chandler's Franklin Head, Philadelphia, on Wednesday 
morning at five o'clock, and proceed the same route back, and arrive at Allen town and 
Bethlehem same evening. Another stage will leave J. Heller's at one o'clock said day, 
and likewise arrive at Bethlehem same evening ; set out from Bethlehem Thursday morn- 
ing, at five o'clock, and both stages take their respective routes, and arrive at Philadelphia 
the same evening, and at Mr. Heller's, at nine o'clock the same morning; set out from ]\Ir. 
Chandler's (Philadelphia) on Saturday morning at five o'clock and arrive at Allentownand 
Bethlehem the same evening ; and so twice a week from the Wind Gap to Philadelphia. 

"The fare for passengers from Mr. Heller's (Wind Gap) to Bethlehem, for each 
passenger, seventy cents ; from Bethlehem or Allentown to Philadelphia, three dollars ; 
way passenger, six cents a mile; 14 pounds of baggage allowed each passenger; 150 wt. , 
same as a passenger, and the same for returning. 

"Parcels taken in at the stage office at Mr. Chandler's, Philadelphia; at M. Severing' s, 
Bethlehem, and at Mr. Heller's, Wind Gap. The smallest parcels twelve cents; two cents, 




II,LUSTRATION OF AN OLD-TIME STAGE-COACH. 



per pound that exceed fourteen pounds, for which the subscribers will vouch for their de- 
livery at their respective places. 

"The subscribers from the liberal encouragement received from the public last season, 
and now by providing several sets of the best horses, and commodious stages, sober and 
careful drivers, they flatter themselves that the jDublic will continue to give them the pre- 
ference, as the line will run through from Bethlehem to Philadelphia, in one day. — George 
Weaver, Samuel Sellers, Philip Sellers, Enoch Roberts, Jacob Hellers." 

At that period there w-as more travel from Bethlehem to Philadelphia than from 
Easton ; the "stage wagon" of George Klein was the pioneer of stages in this sedlion. 
At a later day, the lines from Philadelphia to Easton and Wilkes-Barre, became the main 
route of travel for all Northeastern Pennsylvania. The line from Bethlehem to Philadel- 
phia continued in use, until the completion of the North Pennsylvania Railroad, in 
Januar}-, 1857. Easton became the centre of operations for many lines of stages. Some 
of our older readers will live again the life of by-gone days as they read these lines. The 
close contact into which the stage coach brings its passengers, the genial and hearty 
manners, the ready wit and unstudied humor of the travellers, made companions out of 



178 THE HISTORY OF 

strangers before many miles had been traversed, and before the jonrney had ended, friend- 
ships, which ended only with life. 

About the years 1825 to 1830, there were, in all, ten stage routes leaving Easton in 
various diredlions. The Philadelphia route, fifty-six miles in length ; the Newark route, 
sixty-two miles in length ; the New Brunswick route, forty-five miles in length ; the 
Wilkes-Barre route, sixty-five miles in length ; the Mount Pleasant route, eighty-one 
miles in length ; the route to Berwick, sixty-five miles in length ; the Lancaster route, 
one hundred and six miles in length ; the route to Milford, sixty-six miles in length. 
The line to Newton was forty miles in length, and was the only one not using Troy 
coaches and four horses. The river route to Philadelphia was not a profitable one. 

The stage lines changed hands a number of times, and we give the names of some owners : 
Frederick Nicholas, John Adam Copp, James Ely, Robert Levers, Richard Stout, Josiah 
Horton, William and Samuel Shouse, William White, Hugh Major, Andrew Whitesell, Col. 
Reeside, Jacob Peters, David Connor and Reuben Gross. Between William Shouse and 
William White there existed great competition, and by way of illustration we copy the 
following from the "History of Northampton County:" "William White, one of the 
owners of the line, was proprietor of the Easton Hotel, or as it was better known "White's 
Hotel," located at the corner of North Third street and Centre Square * * * ^t the 
same time William vShouse * * * -^^as the proprietor of the "Green Tree," now the 
Franklin House * * * Mr. White, secure in owning the line of travel, refused in any 
way to accommodate a guest of the "Green Tree." If any one wished to stop there, they 
must get there with their baggage the best way they could ; and if any one stopping there 
wished to go to Philadelphia, they must go with their baggage to White's Hotel to take 
passage, for the stage would not call for them, at least not at the regular prices. This 
discrimination against his hotel was very annoying to Mr. Shouse, and being unable by 
persuasion or remonstrance to change the matter, and being of an energetic and deter- 
mined nature, he decided to make an attempt to meet the enemy on his own ground and 
fight him along the entire line." He at once carried out his project by allying himself 
with Col. Reeside, then one of the heaviest mail contractors in the country, who furnished 
the lower end of the routes, while Mr. Shouse took charge of the upper end. New 
coaches, new and fine horses were at once put on the road, and the fight commenced. 
The opposing parties were well matched, both being determined, persevering and excited. 
Such races as they had ! Such time as they made ! Up hill and down they went at break- 
neck speed, each driver doing his best to reach Easton first. I venture to say that our 
good old town had no such daily excitement before or since. This continued for some 
time, when Col. Reeside bought the stock of the old line and ended the conflict. 

Some of the stage drivers were : John Pittenger, Jacob Pittenger, Mahlon Vannor- 
man, Mahlon West and Frank Carney. Mr. Vannorman and Mr. Carney are still living ; 
the former served at the business twenty-four years, and is now hale and hearty at the 
good old age of 87. Mahlon West latterly was buying-agent for Jacob Peters, that is, 
particularly in horse flesh. The open lot on Lehigh Hill, just above the Lehigh Valley 
Freight Depot, was the pasture for Mr. Peters' horses, and for years from twenty to thirty 
head of horses were kept there. 



EASTON POST OFFICE. 




HK Post Office was established at Eastoii, Northampton County, Pa., March 
2<)th, 1793. Prior to that date, it is probable that the residents conducfted 
their ver}- limited correspondence by sending their letters to Philadelphia 
or New York by the not very frequent travelers to those cities. On Feb- 
ruary 20th, 1792, the Congress of the United States passed an "Act to 
establish the post office and post roads within the United States," which, 
receiving the approving signature of George Washington, President of the 
United States, became a law. It established a post route from Wicasset, 
Maine, to Savannah, Georgia, passing through Portland, (Me.) Portsmouth, 
(N. H.) Boston, (Mass.) Hartford, (Conn.) New York, (N. Y.) Newark, 
Elizabethtown and Trenton, (N. J.) Philadelphia and Chester, (Pa.), and so 
on to Savannah, (Ga.). This was the post route of the United States, and from this were 
a few cross routes, among them one from "Philadelphia to Bethlehem," "Bethlehem to 
Easton and Sussex Court House," and one from " Sus.sex Court Hou.se to Elizabethtown," 
intersecting there the "post road." This was the first act passed, under the Constitution 
of the United States, establishing a postal system in this country. It went into effect, in 
accordance with its provisions, on June ist, 1792. 

In 1792, there was established a line of stages between Bethlehem and Philadelphia, 
and in 1796 between Easton and Philadelphia, or perhaps it were more proper to call it a 
stage line, as probably but one stage was required, a round trip being made only twice a 
week in summer, and once a week in winter. It may not be amiss to here note the rates 
of postage first established in the United States ; the weight seems to have been allowed 
as one quarter of an ounce avoirdupois to each letter ; the rates of postage varied with the 
distance, viz., under thirty miles, six cents; from thirty to sixty miles, eight cents; sixty 
to one hundred miles, ten cents ; one hundred to one hundred and fifty miles, twelve and 
one-half cents ; one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty miles, seventeen cents; two 
hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty miles, twenty cents; three hundred and fiftv to 
four hundred and fifty miles, twenty-two cents; over four hundred and fifty miles, twenty-five 
cents. Newspapers were carried at the rate of one cent for a distance not exceeding one 
hundred miles, and one and one-half cents if over one hundred miles. Each publisher of a 
newspaper could send every other publisher one copy of his paper free of postage. 

The passage of the Post Route Bill and the establishment of the line of stages seems 
to have had an influence on the residents of Easton, for in the following spring, to wit : 
"March 20th, 1793," we find from the records of the Post Office Department, that the 
Post Office at Easton was established. Since the establishment of the Easton Post Office, 
the Borough has had sixteen Postmasters, as follows, to wit : 

The first Postmaster was Henry Spering. He was a scrivener, and one of the most 
prominent citizens of the county at the clo.se of the last century; he filled all of the county 
offices — Prothonotary, Recorder, Register, and Clerk of the Sessions — and was general 
official of the town. It is most probable, though not absolutel}' certain, that during his 



i8o THE HISTORY OF 

term the Post office was located in the southwestern portion of the Public Square, in a 
frame building on the lot where the First National Bank is now erec?ted. He was 
appointed during the term of President Washington, March 20th, 1793, and held the office 
a little over four years. 

The second Postmaster was Hon. John Ross, who was appointed during the term of 
President John Adams, Oct. ist, 1797. He was one of the leading lawyers of that day, 
and afterwards became a member of Congress, a Judge of the District Court, and also of 
the Supreme Court of this State. He onh' held the office about nine months, and during 
his term the office was located in the northeastern corner of the Public Square in the same 
rooms now occupied by the Post Office. 

The third Postmaster was Thomas B. Dick, who was appointed July ist, 1798, during 
the term of President John Adams, and held the office nearly four years. He was a lawyer of 
prominence and an inveterate pra6lical joker, the legends of the bar yet telling of some of 
his pleasantries at the expense of his fellow practitioners. During his term the office was 
located, most probably, in the stone building at the southwest corner of Northampton and 
Fifth streets, recently torn down, to make way for the brick building of Mr. H. J. Boyer. 

The fourth Postmaster was Hon. George Wolf, who was appointed April ist, 1802, 
during the term of President Jefferson; he retained the office, however, only one year. He 
was a lawyer of great prominence, was clerk of the Orphans' Court, a member of the 
Legislature, a member of Congress for three terms, and Governor of the State twice, 
Comptroller of the Treasury imder President Van Buren, and Collector of the Port of 
Philadelphia. During his term the post-office was probably located at the northwest cor- 
ner of the Public Square and Pomfret (N. Third) street, in the building now the office and 
residence of Drs. Henr>' and John J. Detweiller. 

The fifth Postmaster was John Knauss, who was appointed April ist, 1803, during 
the term of President Jefferson, and held the office a little over ten years, during the 
remainder of Jefferson's term and part of Madison's. He was by business a harness maker 
and saddler, and kept the Post Office in an old stone building on the North side of North- 
ampton street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, on the lot immediately west of the 
Northampton County National Bank. 

The sixth Postmaster was Philip H. Mattes, who was appointed May 8th, 1813, during 
the tenn of President Madison, and held the office fifteen years, during the terms of Pres- 
idents Madison, Monroe and John Quincy Adams. He was a prominent citizen, a 
scrivener of note, and for many years Cashier of the Branch Bank of the State of Pennsyl- 
vania, and afterwards made Register of the County, and for many years Actuary of the 
Dime Savings Bank. During his term the Post Office was located in the building at the 
southeast corner of Centre Square and Northampton street, in the room now occupied by 
Samuel Drinkhouse's hat store, the rooms then being divided into two, the Post Office 
being the eastern one thereof, fronting on Northampton street. 

The seventh Postmaster was Abraham Horn, who was appointed ^larch 9th, 1829, 
during the term of President Jackson, and continued in office for ten years, during the 
Presidency of Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren, until his death. He was by 
business a carpenter and builder. In the war of 1812, he was captain of a company raised 
in this county, in which company, by the way, Capt. Horn had six brothers and a brother- 
in-law ; he was also a member of the Legislature ; he first had the office on the south side of 



E AS TON, PENN'A. i8i 

Northampton street above Fourth, a few doors below the Franklin House, then the "Green 
Tree Hotel," in the room occupied by E. B. IMack as a stove store ; about four years after 
he removed the office to the north side of the same street, almost directly opposite the 
former location, to the room now occupied by Daniel L,. Kntz as a saddlery findings store; 
and afterwards to the frame building on the same side of the street, a few doors above Bank 
street, where now is the dry goods house of Rader & Bro. ; where it was located at the 
time of his decease. 

The eighth Postmaster was Abraham Coryell, son-in-law of Capt. Horn, the late 
Postmaster, who was appointed May 2ist, 1839, during the term of President Van Buren, 
and who held the office a little over nine vears. Mr. Corvell was bv business a marble 




VIEW OF THE EASTON POST OFFICE — iSS". 



worker. During his tenn the office rose to the dignity of a Presidential office, i. e., an 
office where the Postmaster is appointed not by the Postmaster General, but by the Presi- 
dent, and confinned by the Senate. This change occurred Februar\- loth, 1840, and Mr. 
Coryell being then the incumbent, was recommissioned by President \'an Buren, February 
loth, 1840, served during the balance of his term, during the term of President Harrison, 
and in part of President Tyler's, who reappointed him June 12th, 1844, and he continued 
to hold the office during the balance of President Tyler's tenn, and the greater part of 
President Polk's. During his term as Postmaster the office was located in a frame build- 
ing in the southeast part of Centre Square, on the lot where the First National Bank now 
stands. 

The ninth Postmaster was John J. Herster, who was appointed by President Polk, 



i82 THE HISTORY OF 

June i2th, 1848, and heldhisoffice eleven months. During his tenn the office was located 
in the old stone building of Mrs. Peter Pomp, on the south side of Northampton street, 
below Fourth, on the lot where Abie's Opera House now stands, and about where P. A. 
Shimer's clothing store is situated. 

The tenth Postmaster was Benjamin F. Arndt, who was appointed by President 
Taylor, May 9th, 1849, and held the office during Taylor's and Filmore's administrations, 
until April, 1853. He was a soldier of the war of 181 2, and afterwards Clerk of the 
Orphans' Court of this county, and for many years a Justice of the Peace. During his 
term the office was located on the west side of South Third street, between Ferry and 
Pine, where now is Garren & Son's restaurant. 

The eleventh Postmaster was John J. Herster, who had been in office previously to 
Esq. Arndt, for a period of eleven months. He was appointed April 4th, 1853, by Presi- 
dent Pierce, and held the office until April 20th, 1857. He kept the office on the south 
side of Northampton street, between Sitgreaves street and Centre Square, in the room now 
occupied by W. H. Hazzard, as a paper hangings store. 

The twelfth Postmaster was Col. William H. Hutter, who was appointed April 20th, 
1857, by President Buchanan, and held the office until March, 1861. He was for a long 
series of years proprietor and editor of the Eastoii Ai-giis^ and afterwards Cashier of the 
Northampton County National Bank, and President of the Board of Prison Inspectors. 
During his term the office was located in the stone building on the north side of North- 
ampton street between Fourth and Fifth streets, opposite the Franklin House, in the room 
now occupied by Hamilton & Co., as a shoe store. 

The thirteenth Postmaster was Dr. Charles C. Jennings, who was appointed by Presi- 
dent Lincoln, March 27, 1861, and held the office until March 20th, 1865. Hte was a 
prominent physician of large practice. During his term the office was located in the brick 
building at the northeast corner of South Third and Pine streets, in the room now occupied 
by Solon Phillippe as a sportsman's emporium. 

The fourteenth Postmaster was Capt. John J. Horn, a school teacher and land surveyor, 
who was a gallant soldier during the Rebellion, serving as Captain of Company E, 41st 
Regiment (Twelfth Pennsylvania Reserves). He was appointed by President Lincoln, 
March 20th, 1865, and held the office until his death, in the spring of 1869. He re- 
tained the office at the same place in which it was located during Dr. Jenning's incum- 
bency. Capt. Horn died while in office, and he and his uncle, Abraham Horn, are the only 
Postmasters who have died while occupj'ing the office. During the term of Capt. Horn, the 
Money Order Business was extended to Easton. 

The fifteenth Postmaster was James L. Mingle, a Telegrapher and Superintendent of 
Telepraph Constru(?tion, who was appointed by President Grant, April 20th, 1869, and 
held the office until November 1871. He kept the office at the same place as under the 
two preceding Postmasters. 

The sixteenth Postmaster, and present incumbent, is James K. Dawes, a lawver, and 
for a number of years publisher of the Free Press, who was appointed by President Grant, 
November i6th, 1871, and reappointed by the same President, December 15, 1875 ; again 
reappointed by President Hayes, January 8th, 1880 ; and again by President Arthur, Jan- 
uary 16, 1884, being the only Postmaster of the Borough who has ever served under five 
diiTerent Presidents — his service being under Presidents Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 183 

and Cleveland. Shortly after his appointment he removed the office to the Northeast cor- 
ner of Centre Sqnare, at the corner of Hay's Place, to the room now occnpied by it, and 
the identical room occupied by the post-office in 1797, ninety years ago. During Mr. 
Dawes' term it was made a General International Money Order office, empowered to issue 
Money Orders on all the leading Foreign Countries, and also, Odlober i, 1885, a Special 
Messenger or Immediate Delivery office. It was also during his term, December i, 1873 
— thirteen years since — Easton was designated as a Free Delivery or Letter Carrier office, 
the Post Office at South Easton being discontinued, and the limits of the "Easton" office 
extended so as to include Easton, South Easton and Glendon. 

The extension of the Free Delivery System to Easton has, undoubtedly, been one of 
the most important events in the history of our Borough, and has proved an almost indis- 
pensable convenience to the citizens, and they have so generally availed themselves of its 
use as to win for Easton, the reputation, in the Post Office department, of "being" the 
"Boss Letter Carrier Office in the United States," out of the very large population of the 
three towns in its limits, there being only six parties — and not one of them in business — 
who use boxes in the Post Office, all the rest having their mail matter delivered by the 
carriers. The service is performed by seven carriers, who make thirt>-six deliveries and 
fortv-five collections of letters daily, the first at five o'clock in the morning and the last at 
half-past six in the evening. At convenient locations throughout the town, one hundred 
and three letter-boxes have been placed for the reception of mail matter ; among these 
boxes are four very ornamental ones, on iron posts, located in Centre Square, from which 
collections are made every hour, that fact being announced by gilt inscriptions on the box 
in seven different languages, viz: English, French, vSpanish, Italian, German, Russian and 
Chinese. These boxes were eretled as a Memorial of "The Centennial," having been used 
during the Great Exhibition in the Main Building, and being sent to Easton at the close 
of the Centennial, as a memorial thereof, through the kindness of Hon. George W. Fair- 
man, then Postmaster of Philadelphia. Of these boxes Easton is justly very proud, no 
other city save Philadelphia, being the fortunate possessor of like reminders of the Cen- 
tennial Anniversary of the Nation. 

As in perusing the present history of this county it has been found of interest to note 
the size and commercial standing of Easton at different periods of its early history, it is 
deemed proper to give here such notes as will show to those who may read this history 
fifty or a hundred years hence, what the amount of Postal business done at Easton, at 
present is, and who the residents are, conne6led therewith. During the Postal year ending 
November 30, 1886, there were delivered by the carriers, 879,136 letters, 191,251 Postal 
cards, 145,105 local letters and postal cards, and 567,150 newspapers, a total delivery of 
1,769,641 pieces; and there were collecfled during the same time, 584,518 letters, 191,405 
postal cards, and 36,249 newspapers, a total colledlion of 812,172 pieces; or a total of 
pieces delivered and colle<?ted, of 2,581,813. There were issued 3204 Domestic Money 
Orders, amounting to $39,310.09; 214 Foreign Money Orders amounting to $2,371.50, and 
1998 Postal Notes amounting to $3558.12; and there were paid 3127 Domestic Money 
Orders amounting to $36,041.78; 82 Foreign Money Orders amounting to $1364.23, and 
2591 Postal Notes amounting to $5,599.65, or a total of 11,216, amounting to $88,245.35. 
The International, or Foreign, Money Orders were distributed as follows, viz: British, 
105 ; German, 105; Canadian, 64; Swis.s, 9; Italian 4; South Wales, 3; New Zealand, 2; 



1 84 THE HISTORY OF 

French, i; Hawaiian Islands, i; Victoria, i; Tasmania, i. This, in conne(5lion with the 
facft that fifteen Railway Post offices have Easton as a terminal or diredl supply office, 
will be, to future readers of this history', one of the very best proofs of the business 
relations and commercial importance of Easton. 

The officials conne6led with the Post Office at the date of writing, Dec. lO, iS86, are 
as follows, the date of commencement of service being given after the name in each case, 
viz : 

Postmaster, James K. Dawes (Nov. i6, 1871). 

Assistant Postmaster and Registry Clerk, Frederick S. Stem, (July 8, 1878"); Mailing 
Clerk, James Ballantyne, (July i, 1876); Distributing Clerk, Walter S. Kitchen, (Sept. i, 
1882); Money Order Clerk, M. Ella Sheridan, (Oct. 23, 1883); Stamp and Delivery Clerk, 
Sallie A. Peters, (July 7, 1886); Assistant Distributing Clerk, Harry W. Drake, (Nov. 17, 
1886); Assistant Stamp and Delivery Clerk, Anna M. Johnson, (Nov. 12, 1886); Night 
Clerk and Watchman, Daniel L. Nicholas, (Ocftober i, 1883); Clerk at Chain Dam Sta- 
tion, Charies W. Laudenberg, (July i, 1885); Local R. P. O. Transfer Clerk, Charles 
Freeman, (June — , 18 — ); Local Mail Messenger, Henry Shipman, (July i, 1884); Letter 
Carriers, John C. Dittler, (Dec. i, 1873); Jeremiah Helick, (Dec. i, 1873); John J. Gang- 
were, (Dec. 3, 1873); William P. Horn, (Dec. 8, 1873); Samuel Arnold, (Jan. 15, 1878); 
John H. Horning, (Jan. i, 1881); Isaac E. Smith, (Nov. 21, 1883); Substitute Letter Car- 
riers, J. Henry Waltman, (Dec. 23, 1884); Henry E. Ealer, (June 4, 1886); Harry O. 
Weaver, (June 15, 1886). 

Of the sixteen Postmasters who have filled the office since its establishment, only three 
are now living, viz : Col. William H. Hutter, James L. Mingle and James K. Dawes. 

[For assistance extended the writer of this article, and for valuable information fur- 
nished, the Editor is indebted to the late Hon. A. D. Hazen, Third Assistant Postmaster 
General, Washington, D. C. , himself a native of this County — Lower Mt. Bethel Town- 
ship — and to Wilking B. Cooley, Esq., a native of Easton, fonnerly Money Order Clerk 
in the Easton Post Office (1876-1878) and now Chief Clerk of the Money Order System 
of the United States, Washington, D. C] 



EASTO.y, PENN'A. 185 

REV. NICHOLAS POMP. 

Nicholas Pomp, a native of Germany, father of the Rev. Thomas Pomp, of Easton, 
and a ver}' prominent man among the German Reformed ministers who labored in this 
country during the latter part of the last century, was born January aotli, in the year of 
our Lord 1734. He passed through a regular course of scientific and theological training 
for the sacred office, at the University of Halle; after which he was sent to this country, 
under the auspices of the Fathers in Holland, A. D. 1760. 

Mr. Pomp's first charge was Faulkner Swamp, and affiliated congregations. In the 
first statistical table extant, in which his name appears (1770), he is put down as connected 
with Faulkner Swamp ; and he confirmed in that year, in his charge, fifty-one persons. 
Judging from the progress exhibited in the statistical, so far as extant, his ministry must 
have been successful. In 1777, we find he confirmed seventy-nine. 

In 1783, Mr. Pomp accepted a call to the congregation in Baltimore, and preached his 
introductory sermon on the first Sabbath in September of that year. He entered upon 
his duties in the new field, under disadvantages, arising from the state of the congregation 
at the time. The difficulty alluded to was a serious division in the congregation existing 
when he took charge of it and which lasted many years after he left. During his pastorate 
at Baltimore the people built a new church, but the difficulty was not healed, and he 
closed his pastorate November 15, 1789; and after a few inore years of toil, by reason of 
infirmities, he came to Easton to spend the evening of his life with his son Thomas. 

Though he was without a regular charge, yet such was his fondness for preaching 
that he coutiniied to preach whenever an opportunity was afforded him. For a while he 
supplied several congregations in the neighborhood of Easton. In visiting these on one 
occasion he fell from his horse, by which accident he received an injury which rendered it 
impossible for him afterwards to ride, either on horse or in a carriage. The people to 
whom he preached, however, were so anxious to hear him, that they made arrangements 
to have him carried by four men, on a litter, a distance of from twelve to fifteen miles. 
This was done several times. 

Though feeble in body, Mr. Pomp still lived a number of years later than this. He 
died in Easton, Sept. i, 1819. He was buried by the side of his wife in the German 
Reformed cemetery in Easton, where a stone with the following memorial marks his 
grave : 

IN 
MEMORY OF 

REV. NICHOL.A.S POMP, 

Wlio was Bom 

Jan. 20th, A. D. 1734, 

And Departed this Life 

Sept i, .\. D. 1819. 

Aged 85 Years, 7 Months 

and 27 Days. 

During a large part of Father Pomp's ministr)-, he preached at Plainfield as one of 
the Stations. One beautiful Sabbath morning, as he was riding quietly on his way, he 
saw two young men of his congregation with their guns hunting pigeons. The young 



i86 THE HISTORY OF 

men saw their pastor coming, and at once laid their guns down behind a log by the way- 
side, and were walking very innocently as their pastor rode along. At that moment a large 
flock of pigeons alighted in the top of a tree close at hand. Father Pomp observed their 
gnns so quietly laid behind the log, and exclaimed: Boys, hand me one of those gnns; 
the blushing lads went for their guns, and Father Pomp went for the pigeons, fired and brought 
down a goodly number. And with a pleasant smile, Mr. Pomp said, boys, you must 
kill pigeons when they are here, you cannot kill them when they are not here. Take 
them right home to your mother and tell her to cook them for my dinner. 



REV. THOMAS POMP. 

Seldom, indeed, and only at long and uncertain intervals, does the history of the church 
furnish us with a man whose private and public life presents so beautiful and faultless a 
picture as that of the venerable Thomas Pomp. His kind and amiable disposition, sim- 
plicity and gentleness of spirit, and his many other excellent social and domestic quali- 
ties, place him among the most eminent of the honored class of men whose lives are 
distinguished for their evenness of tenor, quietness and peaceful relations with all man- 
kind. Few men, if any, surpassed him in these respeAs. All the accounts we have heard 
or seen of him uniformly bear testimony to his superior excellence and transcendant 
virtues. 

Thomas Pomp was the only son of the Rev. Nicholas Pomp. He was born on the 
4th day of February, 1773, in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 
where his father was then living, being in charge of several German Reformed congrega- 
tions in that section. 

The early childhood of Mr. Pomp was passed amid the quiet scenes and innocent 
sports of country life. When about ten years of age his father received a call from the 
German Reformed Church in the City of Baltimore, and removed with his little family to 
that place in 1783. With this change in his outward circumstances and relations, the life 
and habits of little Thomas must have changed very- considerably. His later childhood 
and youth, at a period when the deepest and most lasting impressions are made, were thus 
spent amidst the busy and ever-shifting scenes of city life. His facilities for acquiring an 
English education were correspondingly greater here than in his country home; and this, 
added to the general advantage of city life, had doubtless much to do with the formation 
of his Christian character and the cultivation of his mind. Intellectually, as well as 
morally, he stood and grew up in the midst of the most favorable surroundings. His 
higher literary and theological studies he pursued principally, if not wholly, under the 
immediate care and supervision of his devoted and accomplished father, who was now, 
since 1790, pastor of some congregations near the place of his earliest ministerial labors 
in Eastern Pennsylvania. 

In the year 1793, when only twenty years of age, he entered the holy ministry, to the 
great joy and satisfaction of his pious parents, who, it seems, had steadily and with deep 
concern looked forward to this event. In the same year he became pastor of several Ger- 



£ ASTON, PENN'A. 187 

man Reformed congregations in Montgomery county, Penna. He remained in this first 
field only about three years, when he resigned the charge and accepted a call to Easton, 
Penna., entering upon his duties in the month of July, 1796. The charge consisted 
originally of four congregations — namely, Easton, Plainfield, Dryland, Upper Mt. Bethel. 
In this extensive charge he continued to labor faithfully and with universal acceptance to 
the close of his long life — a period of fifty-si.x years. Several changes, however, were 
made in his field toward the close of his ministry. In the year 1833, after ministering to 
this people for a quarter of a centur}^, he gave up the congregation in Lower Saucon, 
which up to this time had formed a part of his charge. This gave him some relief, and 
lessened to some extent the excessive labors of his calling. Father Pomp had already 
been in the ministry' over forty years, and began seriously to feel the effedls of excessive 
labor and the pressure of advancing years. He greatly needed rest, and eminently deserved 
to be relieved of some part of the burden which rested so heavily upon him. The people 
whom he had so long and so faithfully served were not insensible to his merits, and felt 
disposed to do what was right in the case. Steps were accordingly taken to procure him 
some assistance. The Rev. Bernard C. WolflT, who was then just entering upon his min- 
isterial course, became associate pastor with him in his Easton congregation. This 
arrangement was rendered necessary by the gradual introdudlion and general prevalence 
of the English language among the citizens of the place, as well as the increasing infirmi- 
ties, advanced age and excessive labors of Father Pomp. 

Owing to the same general causes — his age and infirmities — he was induced in the 
year 1848 or 1849 to resign the Plainfield congregation, the most distant point in his exten- 
sive charge. A few years later, in 1850 or 1851, and for like reasons, an assistant was 
appointed to the Dryland, or Hecktown congregation ; and about the same time, or proba- 
bly a little earlier, he was also kindly relieved from the active duties of the ministry in 
the church at Easton, while, however, he still continued to retain his former pastoral rela- 
tion with some provision for his support, if we mistake not, up the time of his death. It 
was with e.xtreme reludlance, as we have been often told, that the aged patriarch con- 
sented to give up preaching "the Gospel of the grace of God " to the dear people whom 
he had so long and faithfully, and also with such universal acceptance, served ; and to 
whom, accordingly, he was bound by the strongest and tenderest ties of Christain love 
and affection. In fatl, all of the members of his charge, with but few exceptions, had 
been baptized, instructed and confirmed by him, and many of them also married during 
his a<ftive ministry of more than half a century among them. 

Few men have ever labored so long among a people with such unabated attachment 
and acceptance. Every person within the bounds of his extensive charge, even now that 
he is dead and gone, speaks still of the aged and venerable pastor, whose image still lin- 
gers, like a vision of beauty, in the memory of his grateful parishioners. Amidst the 
incessant changes and confusion which so frequently obtained sway in congregations and 
pastoral changes now-a-days, it is pleasant and truly refreshing to meet with an instance 
of such wann and lasting attachment and rare fidelity to an aged and worn-out pastor. 
It shows what a stronghold the faithful and loving shepherd had upon their hearts and 
aifecftions in the earlier and more active period of his ministerial life and labors in 
their midst. 

During his public ministry, extending over fifty-nine years or upwards. Father Pomp 



i88 THE HISTORY OF 

baptized 7,870 persons ; confirmed 3,616 ; married 2,059 couple ; and buried 1,670. These 
figures, taken in connedlion with what has been already said of the exposure and the 
many thousands of miles of travel, through heat and cold, over hill and dale, will enable 
us to form some idea of the nature and extent of his official labor. 

As regards the general character, private and public, of Father Pomp, we deem it 
unnecessary to add much to what has been already said. His numerous friends through- 
out the extensive region of country over which his ministerial activity extended are the 
best evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by the people of his own charge, 
as well as by others who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance. Wherever you go 
among the people of his field of labor, the name of Father Pomp, as he was familiarly 
called, is mentioned with reverence and affe(5lion. Many of the more aged of the Dry- 
land and Plaiufield congregations, even to this day, love to relate the little incidents which 
occurred in their former acquaintance and intercourse with their beloved pastor ; and 
these pleasant incidents are almost universally illustrative of his good nature, innocence 
and genial spirit, and of the esteem and friendship which these excellent qualities inspired. 
Never during all our extensive intercourse with those simple hearted people, while preach- 
ing among them the gospel of Christ, did we hear a single unkind word spokeu or a dis- 
paraging remark made in reference to their aged pastor and friend. 

Such a chara(5ler, sustained and kept pure and unsullied during a period of more than 
half a century of private and public intercourse with the people of his charge, constitutes 
the best and noblest monument that any man living or dying could desire. 

Father Pomp, so far as we could learn, was not a man of brilliant parts, extraordi- 
nary talents, or extensive acquirements. Both his natural endowments, as well as his 
literary and theological attainments, were of an ordinary chara6ler. His preaching was 
of a plain and pracftical kind, distinguished for its kindly and genial spirit rather than 
for its depth or power. His labors, however, both in and out of the pulpit, were always 
acceptable to the people of his charge ; and his long continued and unabated popularity 
shows conclusively that he was not wholly destitute of those higher intellectual qualities 
which secure and maintain a controlling influence over the minds and hearts of men. 

The great extent of his charge, and the distance of his country congregations from 
his place of residence, not only proved burdensome to him, but also interfered very mater- 
ially with his usefulness. It is hard indeed to understand how those venerable men, the 
early fathers of the church, could at all get round amongst the people, and accomplish 
anything of account in the way of direct pastoral labor. Ever}' four weeks only, as a 
general rule, could they visit the members of their county churches, and then frequently 
only on Sunday, when the whole of their time and strength was required to fill the regular 
preaching appointments. Perhaps a few hours, at most, could be spent in visiting the 
people committed to their spiritual care and supervision during such a trip. Even then 
they left their homes on Saturday and did not return again until Monday; only a small and 
insignificant portion of their members could be reached and benefited by diredl personal 
intercourse with them. Considering also the large number of funerals which would natur- 
ally occur in so large a districft and require the pastor's attention, we cannot wonder that 
in this way of striclly pastoral visitation and influence so much had to be either wholly 
neglected or but imperfe6lly performed. These things are mentioned in this connection 
for the purpose of accounting for the comparatively backward state of our churches gener- 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 189 

ally in Eastern Pennsylvania, and among the rest, those which were formerly served by 
Father Pomp. 

The good men who labored and toiled in those extensive fields and under such 
immense disadvantage had of necessity to leave much good unaccomplished. For what 
under the circumstances actually was done they merit the lasting gratitude of those among 
whom they lived and labored. Their extensive labors and herculean efforts deserve to be 
kept in everlasting remembrance. 

Father Pomp, after "having served his generation," and accomplished the work 
entrusted to him, was ' ' gathered to his people " in a good old age, full of years and weary 
of life, like a shock of corn fully ripe for the harvest. He died at his residence in Easton, 
Pennsylvania, on the 22d day of April, 1852, aged 79 years, 2 months and 18 days. 

On the succeeding Sunday his remains, followed by an immense concourse of sorrow- 
ing friends, were reverently carried out and deposited in their quiet resting place in the 
Easton Cemetery. On this solemn and interesting occasion a suitable discourse was 
delivered by the late Rev. Dr. Hoffeditz in German, and another one in English by the 
Rev. Dr. Gray. On the next Lord's day an appropriate funeral sermon, with special 
reference to the life and labors of the deceased, was preached in the German Reformed 
Church by the Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger. Thus were the solemnities of this sad occasion 
brought to a close. Long will the day of his burial and the impressive services therewith 
connetted be remembered by the people of Easton, and especially by the members of the 
German Reformed Church. 

" Thus star by star declines, 
'Till all are passed away, 
As morning high and higher shines 
To pure and perfeifl day ; 
Nor sink those stars in empty night, 
But hide themselves in heaven's own light." 

On the spot where his remains were originally deposited the members of his charge 
have ere(5led a beautiful marble monument, as an evidence of their affe6lionate regard for 
him, who, while living, broke unto them the "bread of life," the pledge of a blLssful 
immortality and "reunion in heaven." 

Through the kindness of Mr. Abraham Kind, of Easton, Pennsylvania, we have been 
furnished the following description of it : 

The monument stands near the centre of the cemetery, in and close to the angle 
formed by the east and south walks, and about fifty yards from the gate leading into the 
cemetery from Fifth street. It is in the form of a pyramid, divided into two parts. The 
frustum has four faces, on three of which are found the inscriptions which I inclose. The 
top or upper half of the frustum rests on an ornamental base ; in all it is about ten feet 
high, simple in its structure and beautifully characteristic of the man in whose honor it 
has been ere6led. On the several faces of the frustum are the following inscriptions : 

West Side. — In memory of the Rev. Thomas Pomp, son of the Rev. Nicholas Pomp. 
He was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1773, and died April 22, 
1852, in the 80th year of his age, and the 59th year of his ministry. 

North Side. — The onlv son of one of the founders of the German Reformed Church 



igo THE HISTORY OF 

in America. He early consecrated himself to the services of the church of his father. 
He was ordained to the ministry of the Gospel in 1793. In July, 1796, he became pastor 
of the German Reformed Church of Easton, Pennsylvania, in which capacity he served 
that congregation until enfeebled by age and called to an eternal reward. His long and 
arduous ministerial labors and personal worth will ever be held in affectionate remem- 
brance by a grateful people. 

South Side. — Erected bv the congregation. 



PHILIP MIXSELL. 

[Easton .^rgus, March, 1869.] 

A VERY constant and certainly one of the most welcome visitors to my san6lum for 
the last quarter of a century has been our venerable fellow citizen Philip Mixsell, Sr. 
Mr. Mixsell is now the oldest living resident of Easton. He was bom on the loth of 
March, 1777, and was consequentl}' 92 years of age on the loth of the present month. 
Although confined to his house the greater part of the winter now passing away, from a 
slight accident which injured his back, and a severe cold, he is still a hearty man. His 
head is covered with a thick crop of white hair, his eye-sight is good, and he can walk as 
rapidly as a man of forty. He is in many respedls a remarkable man. He writes a beau- 
tiful hand, and even now wields as steady a pen as a man of twenty-one. He is living a 
link, as it were, binding the past to the present generation. His well preserved body 
and good health so unusual in one of his advanced years are due to his uniform good 
habits, his abstemious mode of living and his contented mind. He belongs to a race of 
men who inhabited this country when there was less extravagance and less pretension, and 
more solid sense and plain living in every American community. He has repeatedly told 
me that during his long life he has never been intoxicated and never tasted tobacco. He 
was systematic on this subje(ft of temperance, but used good liquor when he thought it 
was good for him to do so, either in sickness or when traveling. But he never abused it 
and never seriously felt its influence. In a recent interview of an hour's duration with 
the old gentleman I took down the following notes, thinking they would be interesting 
to the readers of the Argus. I give substantially his own language : 

"I was born in a small log house in Williams township, some three or four hundred 
yards below Richards' tavern, on the Delaware river. My fathers name was Philip Mix- 
sell. He was born in Conestoga township, Lancaster county. He built the house in 
which I was born, about the year 1736. I had five sisters and four brothers, all of whom 
are dead. My youngest sister died at seventy, my youngest brother at seventy-two. My 
father died at eighty-five, and one of my brothers at ninety-two. I was never sick ninety 
da}s in my life, and when I think that my old limbs have carried me through the world 
for nearly one hundred years I wonder that they have not given out long ago. I was 
married in the month of April, 1804. I never had but nine month's schooling; went to 
school to old Mr. Abrm. Bachman, who was the first teacher in Easton, and who taught 
school in an old stone house on the lot now occupied by Joseph Sigman's residence on 



EASTOX, PEW A. 



191 



Fourth street. I came to Easton when I was thirteen years of age and engaged to attend 
store for my brother. After remaining with him fonr years I went into the late Judge 
Wagoner's store. At that time mercantile pursuits were conducfted on a different principle. 
There was more hard work attending it, and men in business did not become rich as 
rapidly as they do now. Judge Wagoner, with whom I afterwards became a partner, dealt 
largely in grain. He built the old mill on the Bushkill, known as the Wagoner mill, and 
lived a number of years in a stone house up the Bushkill, which he also eretled in the 
year 1792. He manufatlured flour and transported it to Philadelphia on Durham boats. 

A usual load for one boat was about 500 bushels of grain and 150 barrels of flour. 
On more than one occasion he sold his produce and walked back from the city. There 
was a coach running at that time from Easton to Philadelphia, but it made only one trip 
a week and a business man did not feel like waiting. The fare was $4. The Durham 
boatmen were a jolly set of men and greatly enjoyed the life they led. 




VIEW AT BUSHKILI. .4ND FRONT STREETS, ABOUT THE YEAR 1S40. 
[from a drawing by MRS. M'CARTNEY.] 



When I came to Easton the richest man in Easton was old Peter Schnyder, the father 
of the late Peter Schnyder. He owned a large lot, on which the tannery stood — now 
Lehn's — a number of out-lots, and about 150 acres of farm land. Mr. Wagoner afterward 
became wealthier than Schnyder. At that time among the prominent families living 
here was John Arndt's family, William Craig, who was then Prothonotary and Clerk, and 
Dr. Ledley, living in Peter Ihrie's present residence, which was considered the best house 
in Easton. 

Easton at that time contained about 1500 inhabitants, but few good dwelling houses. 
The present Third street was made up of poor buildings. Peter Schnyder's residence, on 
the comer of Bushkill and Third streets, was considered a model house. 



192 THE HISTORY OF 

There was of course much less extravagance than we see about us now. When I was 
married to my late wife she was the owner of but one silk, and that was the only silk 
dress she owned for fifteen years. Calico was worn for every-day wear, and gingham for 
extra occasions. Servant girls were then paid seventy-five cents a week. 

The leading lawyers of this county at that day were Samuel Sitgreaves and John 
Rose. The Penn family were a prominent family. Jonas Hartzell was the Sherifl!" of the 
county. There was of course no water works. The wells about town furnished good 
water. The old well at Rev. Thomas Pomp's corner was considered the best well in 
Easton. The lot on which the former residence of the late Rev. Mr. Pomp stood, taking 
in an entire block of ground, was at one time purchased by my brother for $83, and after- 
ward sold to the German Reformed congregation for $100. The 'dry lands' were at 
that time considered a monstrous poor secflion of our county. Land in that quarter was 
looked upon as scarcely worth buying and hardly rich enough to support a flock of crows. 
Lots in 'dry land' then sold at from $15 to $18 per acre. Mush and milk and good 
potatoes was the fashionable diet of the day. Old Mr. Hass was then one of our County 
Commissioners. He lived within two miles of the Berks county line, in what is now 
Lehigh count}-, and had twenty-eight miles to come to the Court House in Easton. The 
late Judge Wagoner was also one of the County Commissioners. I remember that his pay 
one year amounted to just $28. They received $1.50 per day. All the people of the 
Mount Bethels, Moore, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Saucon, and of course Forks and Plainfield, 
at that time came to Easton to vote. 

Elecflion day was then considerable of a frolic day. There were fiddlers and dancing 
in every tavern in Easton. The girls came to town with their fathers and brothers and 
enjoyed themselves at the dances until they were ready to go home. About 1500 votes 
were then cast in the whole county. Old John Schug kept the present 'Franklin House' 
at that time. 

Christian J. Hutter's house was then the last house on the top of the hill. A man 
named Otto, who had a wooden leg, hauled a great deal of water from the river for the 
people to wash with. Neither myself nor any one of my brothers ever had a lawsuit. 
The amusements of the day were balls, and in the fall of the year, apple butter frolics. 
The general price for a ball ticket was $2.00. Dancing commenced at about eight o'clock 
in the evening, and about one o'clock the boys and girls were expected to be at home. 

Places of business were usually opened at daylight. At sleighing parties the ladies 
were treated to weak sangaree. There were no bridges — the streams were crossed on the 
ice. My father was a stone mason by trade. He did the stone work on the German 
Reformed Church in Easton. Was to have $800 for the job. He was paid in Continental 
money, which soon after began to depreciate. My father held on to it thinking it would 
again improve, but it gradually grew more and more worthless until finally he parted with 
it for $83, and that was all he received for his work. As a matter of course this loss 
proved a sev-ere shock to the old gentleman's finances, and it was some years before he 
recovered from it. Whilst working on the church his children brought up the dinner for 
himself and hands from his house on the Delaware. He also built the Dryland Church 
at Hecktown. It has been said that 'cards were invented to amuse a fool' (Charles IX of 
France) but here they were used to build a bridge across the beautiful sparkling Delaware. 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 193 

The want of a bridge over the Delaware at Easton was so seriously felt that the people 
determined to make a strenuous effort to have one erecfted. The enterprise lagged for 
many years, capitalists having but little confidence in the stock proving a paying invest- 
ment. Finally it was built about the year 1806 at a cost of about $43,000, but it had no 
roof and no more money could be raised. In this dilemma the directors determined to 
apply to the Legislature for relief Samuel Sitgreaves, John Herster and Daniel Wagener 
were appointed a committee to petition the Legislature for a loan of $5,000. The Senate 
agreed to the bill but a careful count of noses in the Lower House showed that there was 
a majority of two against it. It is related that William Barnet, who was then in the Leg- 
islature from this county, invited two members who were opposed to the bill to spend an 
evening at his room. There a game of euchre was proposed and Barnet dared his two 
guests to play a game for their votes for or against his bridge bill. They agreed, and 
having previously imbibed a good share of hot toddy, they displayed but little skill in 
handling the cards and lost. In this way the passage of the bill was secured. Then 
another obstacle interposed. Simon Snyder, who was Governor of Pennsylvania, threat- 
ened to veto the bill unless the committee aforesaid pledged their individual guarantee that 
the $5000 should be repaid in five years. He had no notion that the State Treasury 
should lose this money. They agreed to this and the money was refunded in three years. 
Mr. Mixsell has a wonderful memory. Often as he sat in my office, reading the papers 
of the day, as has been his daily custom for years (when the weather permitted), he would 
relate incidents of his travel that occured as far back as 1798, and he would repeat the 
details of a journey made fifty, sixty and seventy years ago as truthfully as if it had occured 
but yesterday. In this respect he reminded me of the late Thomas H. Benton, whom he 
also greatly resembles in personal appearance. That the sterling old patriarch may con- 
tinue to live many years — long enough, at least to see his ardent and patriotic wish real- 
ized — enjoying in the meantime good health, the affections of his kindred and the esteem 
of his fellow citizens, is the sincere prayer of his friend." 



THE WAGENER FAMILY OF EASTON. 

Mr. David Wagener was born in Silesia, Germany, May 24th, 1736. His mother, 
then a widow, emigrated to this country in the year 1740 on account of religious persecu- 
tion and settled in Bucks county, in this State, with her two sons, David and Christopher, 
aged respectfully eight and four years. David married Miss Susanna Umstead and raised 
a family of four sons and three daughters. In 1786 he bought a tra6l of land of the Penns, 
situated on both sides of the Bushkill Creek, a short distance above Easton, and moved 
there. The Easton Cemetery grounds are now a portion of that tradl, and his remains 
lie in his son David's plot, southwest of the chapel. He died in his sixtieth year. 

Daniel Wagener was a son of David Wagener of Germany, and a prominent citizen of 
Easton for many years. He was born in Bucks county, moved to Easton when young, 
and early became engaged in the milling business on the Bushkill. He was Associate 
Judge of Northampton county for thirty-nine years, and was a man of ability and integ- 



194 THE HISTORY OF 

rity in his dealings with his fellow men. To have retained the position which he honored 
for so many years shows more plainly than words the confidence reposed in him by the 
pnblic. 

Hon. David D. Wagener was born in Easton, the eleventh day of Ocftober, 1792. He 
built a mill on the Bushkill when quite a young man, near the one built by his father. 
He was engaged in the milling and mercantile business for many years. He died in 1869, 
at the age of seventy-seven years, leaving three sons and two daughters, to whom he 
bequeathed a handsome estate, and an unsullied name. The early years of David D. 
Wagener' s life were spent in obtaining a substantial education, and assisting his father in 
his business. It was then he laid the foundation of that consistent christian and public- 
spirited charadler, to which he was in so great a degree indebted for his remarkably suc- 
cessful career. In 1816 he was ele<?led captain of the "Easton Union Guards," then 
newly organized, and continued in command until the company's dissolution, in 1829. 
In this capacity he visited Philadelphia in 1824, and together with his company (135 men) 
assisted in the ceremonies of the reception of La Fayette. He took great interest in poli- 
tical life and became an adlive and prominent member of the Democratic party, with 
which he held the closest relations until his death. In 1828 he was eletled to the Assem- 
bly and performed the duties of his position so fully to the satisfacftion of his fellow-citi- 
zens that he was twice re-elected, serving the terms of 1829, 1830 and 1831, and only 
leaving the Assembly for the higher honors of the National Congress, to which he was 
ele(5led in 1832, after a close and exciting contest ; his opponent being no other than his 
fellow-townsman, the gifted and popular Peter Ihrie. The course of David D. Wagener 
in Congress was the same plain and straight-forward pursuit of his duty as a public-spirited 
and high-minded citizen, and met with the same approval bestowed upon his public record 
in the Assembly ; receiving the highest possible testimonial by being re-elecfted from 
term to term, until 1839, when he retired from more acflive public life, desiring rest and 
time to devote to his own private affairs. He was a member of Congress during one of 
the most exciting periods of our national history, a greater part of General Jackson's, and 
the early part of Martin Van Buren's administration. General Jackson was a military 
hero — a man of great talent and inflexible honesty. His integrity was unassailable ; his 
will, like iron. He was one for whom no toil was too arduous, and to whom fear was 
unknown. He seemed to be at home in the storm of battle, either in military or political 
commotion. There were two great questions during his administration which produced 
most intense excitement throughout the country. In 1831 and 1832 additional duties 
were levied upon goods imported from abroad. The manufacturing districSls were favored 
more than the agricultural. South Carolina took umbrage at the enadtments of Congress 
and prepared for open resistance to the general government. General Jackson a(?ted 
promptly and sent General Scott with a body of troops to Charleston. John C. Calhoun 
was Vice President, but resigned to accept a seat in the Senate of the United States 
where he might sustain the dodlrine of nullification. He had prepared a speech defend- 
ing the right to resist the laws of Congress. A friend of the President called upon him 
one day and saw an order lying upon his table for the arrest of Calhoun if he should 
attempt to deliver the speech. The Senator heard of the order, and knowing the man 
with whom he had to deal, laid it in his desk. The presence of troops in Charleston 
quieted the storm till 1861. When General Jackson issued his proclamation and sent 




HON. DAVID D. WAGENER- 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 



195 



Scott to that city with United States soldiers, his uaine was upon every lip and his praises 
were sung by friend and foe. The other question was the re-charter of the United States 
bank. This became quite as exciting as the tariff. In the Senate at the time were Henrv 
Clay, Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun and Thomas H. Benton. These were the giants 
of those days, and when they were in the Senate the debates attradled the attention of 
the civilized world. During these exciting times, when the nation seemed on the brink 
of revolution, Mr. Wagner was in Congress and condu6led himself so as to receive the appro- 
bation of his constituents, and the warm and intimate friendship of General Jackson. 
During his whole public life he was the reliable and faithful representative of his districft, 
honored and beloved by the people he had so ably and faithfully served. 

On the fourth of May, 1852, he was unanimously ele6led President of the Easton 
Bank, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Colonel Thomas McKeen, and con- 
tinued in this office to the full satisfaction of the board and the great advantage of the 
bank until his death. It is but proper here to mention that the Court House stands upon 
ground largely donated by him. David D. Wagener was married on the twentieth of Sep- 
tember, 182 1, to Mary Knauss, a woman of great personal beauty and piety, who died 
February 13, 1833. The issue of this marriage was two sous and three daughters, of 
whom all are still living. He never married again, and died 0<flober i, i860, in the 
sixty-ninth year of his age. He was a gentleman esteemed by all who knew him ; he 
enjoyed the friendship of many of the leading men of his time. James Buchanan and 
General Jackson were his intimate friends, and their relations were most cordial and con- 
fidential. An obituary', published in the Easton Argus, of 0(ftober 4, i860, truly says : 
"He was not only a good man but a useful man. He was a kind and faithful friend, a 
safe counselor, an indulgent and affedlionate father, and an upright man in all relations of 
life. To the poor he was kind and liberal, and many a penniless beginner as he started 
on his voyage to fight the battle of life has been cheered on by the kind assistance and 
good counsel of David D. Wagener. The possessor of an ample fortune, he was ever plain 
and simple in his habits, familiar and sociable in his intercourse with his fellow men, yet 
dignified in his bearing. He was a stri(5lly upright man and scorned to do a dishonorable 
a(i1 in public or private life. He was constitutionally an honest man, and his word was 
ever as his bond. Few men have left behind them a better record or example than the 
Hon. David D. Wagener." 



MILITARY HISTORY OF EASTON, 




HILE the historian would not claim that Easton was patriotic above many 
other communities in the State, yet her patriotism has been of so marked a 
charadler as to deserve proper recognition. From her earliest annals, in 
hours of danger the people flew to arms with alacrity. Easton was sur- 
veyed in 1750, and the first war came in her infancy. In 1755 the Indian 
war began by the murder of the Moravians at what is now Weissport. 
All feared the destruction of Easton. The eiforts of William Parsons 
were to put the town in a state of defence. The arms for the use of 
soldiers consisted of four muskets, and onl}' three of these were fit to use. 
The people had no war material, no powder, lead nor flints. The soldiers 
in those days used flints instead of percussion caps, and made their own 
bullets from lead supplied by the government. A messenger must be sent to Philadelphia, 
but no man could be spared, and so Mr. Parsons sent his daughter to obtain the means of 
defence. His army was not so large as that of Miles Standish, which consisted of si.x 
soldiers besides the general. Mr. Parsons could only arm three men in case of invasion. 
This was Easton's first army and first effort in war. During the long winter of 1755 and 
1 756, there were constant alarms and reasons for most serious apprehensions of danger. A 
little powder could be found in the powderhorns of the citizens, and a little lead among 
the few families, and the three muskets would be used if need should demand it. The 
people would have done their duty quite as well then as in later years. There can be no 
doubt about Mr. Parsons being at the post of duty and danger. But the winter passed 
without the presence of the dreaded foe. At the treaty gatherings there was more or less 
military display. This was done to inspire the Indians with a dread of the power with 
which they were dealing. Conrad Weiser would bring a military force from Heidelburg 
to add dignity to the Proprietary government. At one time he brought a company of forty 
soldiers, and these would form a hollow square, in the centre of which the Governor would 
be escorted from his lodgings to Vernon's tavern at the Point. The fife and drum led 
the way with inspiring music, and all the boys in towu would stare at the display and run 
after the soldiers as in modern times. At another time when danger threatened the place, 
the entire male popiilation was put under arms, and formed a company of twenty-three, 
with Lewis Gordon for their captain. It is interesting to people of Easton in these days 
to look back to those early times and witness the inhabitants girding for battle ; and 
though their means were small, their hearts were large, and their devotion unquestioned. 
And however small the force, it served the purpose, for the Indian never approached 
Easton with hostile intent. It is the desire of the author thus to briefly review the military 
history of those early times, and note the contrast between the present and the past. 

After the war of 1756 was ended, the Indian war, called the Pontiac war, began. The 
dreaded foe might appear any hour and burn the town. The times needed a company of 
men ready to move at a moment's notice. But to the workingmen there were few moments 
of leisure, they must drill after the day's toil was done and be ready to lay down their tools 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 197 

at the call of their officers. In 1763 such a company was fonned and chose Jacob Arndt 
for their captain. They bound themselves together for the purpose of protecting them- 
selves against the savages, under the following agreement : 

"Wee, the undernamed subscribers, doo hereby joyntly and severally agree that Jacob 
Arndt Esqire shall be our Captain for three months from the date of these presence, and 
Be allwise Ready to obeay him when he sees ocation to call us together in persueing the 
Indians, or helping any of us that shall happen to be in distress by the Indians. Each 
person to find arms and powder and lead at our own cost and have noe pay. Each person 
to find himself in all necessarys ; to which articl, covenant and agreement. Wee Bind our- 
selves in the penal sum of Five pounds Lawful monies of Pensilvania, to be Laid out for 
arms and amunition for the use of the Company, unless the person soe Neglecting to obeay, 
shall Show a lawfull Reason. 

"Given under our hands this 13th day of October 1763." 

Signed by Jacob Arndt, Peter Seip, Michael Lawall, Adam Hay, Paul J. Ebbel, 
and thirty others. The following is the muster roll of the company, the oldest company 
in our history, whose names have come down to us. The list was obtained of Mr. B. M. 

Youells : 

Jacob Arndt, Elias Bender, 

John Sandy, Richard Richards, 

Philip Odenwelder, Garrett Moore, 

John Jaeger, Henry Raddler, 

Jacob Reichardt, Philip Mann, 

Jerry Leidy, James Bunston, 

Michael Butz, Christian Gress, 

Christian Smith, Jacob Hartzell, 

Paul J. Ebbel, M. Lawall, 

Adam Hay, Matthias Pfiefer, 

John Miller, M. Owen Arndt, 

P. J. Mann, Matthew Rownig, 

Elias Shook, Peter Seip, 

Michael Sheuud, Christopher Hahn, 

Melchoir Young, Christopher Sienteog, 

Jacob Grouse, John Painter, 

Valentine Sandy, Robert Townsend 
William Bonstein, 

This is the first company formed in Easton, being nearly two months older than 
Lewis Gordon's. But the latter company was formed for acftive service in the field. This 
company was formed December 8, 1763, and was to range between Easton and the Blue 
Mountains. The company of Jacob Arndt' s was a company of minute men for the defence 
of the town, and to assemble at the call of the captain at mid-day or night. 

There is no evidence that the company was ever called into acftive service, but their 
patriotism was very plainly seen by the firm agreement made to go when and where their 
patriotic captain should lead the way. In the Revolutionary war we see the same readi- 
ness to acft in the defence of liberty. They were prompt in action, knowing that the 
opening of hostilities was only a matter of time. The people of Easton began to organize 
for the struggle six months before the roar of battle on the plains of Concord and Lex- 
ington, and on Bunker Hill. The Committee of Safety was organized in 1774, in Decem- 
ber. The whole county was thoroughly organized ; companies, called flying camps, were 



198 THE HISTORY OF 

formed to move with celerity wherever wanted. A company was hurried to the front and 
engaged in the battle of Brooklyn. The muster roll of this conipan\- is published in 
connecflion with the history of the Revolution. 

The following is taken from the Giiarduiii, a monthly magazine, edited by Rev. H. 
M. KiefFer, A. M., of Easton : 

" As one follows the old Sullivan road from Easton through the Wind Gap, he comes 
upon a beautiful sheet of water called, in earlier times, 'Lake Pocouoming,' and now 
known as 'Saylor'sLake.' The lake is but a few miles beyond the Gap, and of late years 
has become quite a favorite resort with the people of this vicinity, even as far away as 
Stroudsburg, many Sunday Schools finding there a delightful spot for picnics. Imme- 
diately east of the lake, a certain foreign-born German, by the name of Nicholas Young, 
settled in the year 1754, having purchased a farm of some three hundred acres. His wife 
was a Quakeress, whose name was Rachel Bond, whom he had brought with him over 
the mountain all the way from Bucks County. At that time the Indians were in that vicinity 
and sometimes became very troublesome. As they passed through the country from Phil- 
adelphia under the influence of liquor they did much hann and many deeds of violence, 
compelling the people to flee for protedlion to a fort by the name of ' Buzzard,' which they 
erected for such emergencies. Often they hid themselves for days and nights in the 
swamps until the savages had passed beyond the mountains. To go with her betrothed 
at such a time and to such a country, argued no little devotion and courage on the part of 
the young Quakeress from Bucks County. To this couple were born two sons and five or 
six daughters, the name of one of the daughters being Rachel. Let us mark her well for 
she is the one only of the family with whom we are at present concerned. The father 
spoke German, the mother spoke English, and nothing else, the daughters following her 
example. The route of the Sullivan expedition lay directly along this homestead of 
Nicholas Young, and as there was a delightful spring of clear, cold water on the farm, and 
as water is a great necessity for an army marching in warm weather, the soldiers very 
naturally chose this farm for a camp, halting there for dinner, it may be, or possibly 
camping there for the night. It is probable also from what I can learn from the records, 
that that part of the vanguard that preceded the main column by some six weeks, and went 
up that way from Easton to join the other troops that came down from New York and 
united with them at Larners' tavern, may have spent a little time at this point. Among 
the soldiers who went with their canteens for water to the good spring on Nicholas Young's 
fann was a young Irishman by the name of Thomas Gilmore, who had come from Belfast 
not long before, having run away from home and come to this country on a vessel of which 
his uncle was captain. Young Gilmore had enlisted in the Continental Army early in 
the spring of 1776 as a member of the First New Hampshire Regiment, saw service at 
Three Rivers and was present at the capture of the Hessians at Trenton. His term of 
service having expired he re-enlisted in the summer of 1777 in the same regiment for three 
years or during the war; Col. Joseph Cilley commanding the regiment, was at Bnrgoyne's 
capture and at the battle of Monmouth, and took part also in the Sullivan expedition. A 
very good and creditable military record indeed, with the larger part of which, however, 
we can have no present concern, our interest in his military history being entirely confined 
to the part he took (or rather to the part he did not take) in the expedition under consid- 
eration. Now I cannot be absolutely certain whether young Gilmore was with the main 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



199 



column, or was with the guard detailed for the care of the depot of supplies named above, 
or whether he was with the vanguard. It is quite probable that young Gilmore may have 
spent many days at Young's homestead while the troops were engaged in mending the 
road in that neighborhood. At all events, so it was that here he had an experience which 
very much interfered with his going any farther than Lake Poconoming on this expedition 
against the Western Indians, — at least for a while. For here, very probably while at the 
spring filling his canteen, he met Rachel Young, and entertained from that moment onward 
a very decided aversion to marching any further up the Pocono Mountains in search of 
Indians. He would rather stay where he was and make love to Rachel. He detested 
Indian warfare anj^way. He had no objection to fighting the British on the open field in 
a decent way, but this being shot at from behind bushes and trees and rocks by enemies 
one could not even see, had certainly no charms for him. The image of Rachel's face, 
which he, like Jacob of old, had first seen at the well of water, began to haunt him as he 
worked with his fellow soldiers at mending the road in the day time, or as he lay in his 
tent at night watching the dancing light of his camp-fire and building air-castles as young 
lovers will. He began to wish himself free from the ugly service before him, and would 
have been happy to have hired himself, as did Jacob of old, to the father of Rachel, that 
he might stay and woo and win her for his wife. • Strange things happen in war and in 
love. Young Gilmore, it seems, found some difficulty in keeping away from the Young 
farm. From the spring he shortly found his way to the house. It was only a short dis- 
tance, and there was a foot-path between the two, so that one could hardly miss the way 
in the dark. He began to do some little work about the house, perhaps in part to pay for 
a warm meal, so enjoyable to a hungry- soldier, helping old Mr. Young with his farm- 
work when he himself was not on duty, carn'ing water from the spring for Rachel, cutting 
wood for the kitchen stove, and making himself generally useful about the premises, with 
an eve ever and anon wide open when Rachel appeared on the scene. As I said, strange 
things happen in war and in love ; and a strange thing happened to this young Gilmore 
about the time his regiment received orders to march. While chopping wood on the wood- 
pile in front of the house, he cut his foot with the ax, the ver}' morning too, before marching 
orders came. Accidentally, did you say ? Ah! good reader, I cannot tell. How should I 
know? 'Deponent sayeth not.' It might have been accidentally, and then again it might 
not have been accidentally. In war, accidents do happen accidentally, but in love — how 
should I know how they happen ? When a soldier is in love, desperately in love, with a 
farmer's daughter, and can't for the life of him keep her face from smiling at him through 
the dancing flames of his camp-fire, and in spite of his shut eyes at night sees her looking 
in through the flaps of his tent as he lies there trying to sleep and to forget all about it, — 
and then of a sudden gets marching orders — there is no telling what a man will do under such 
circumstances. At all events, Thomas Gilmore could not march. The regimental surgeon 
came over to the farm-house to look at the foot. There was no need of his binding up the 
wound, for it was already neatly bound up, and by a gentler hand than his. The surgeon 
reported him on the sick-list, and left him at the Young farm-house till he got well, — a 
consummation most devoutly wished for by his patient, — I make no doubt ! For now young 
Gilmore had nothing in the world to do but to make love to Rachel, and get well — as 
slowly as he possibly could. I cannot tell how long it would take to heal such a wound 
as he enjoyed ; but I imagine it would be a considerable time before it would be so thor- 



200 THE HISTORY OF 

oughly well that the patient might travel over the rough roads with safety. From the fact 
that the army was up iu the neighborhood of Tioga when he rejoined his regiment, I 
am of opinion tliat he spent not less than six weeks at the Young homestead. To him, 
being a ruddy-faced Irishman, we may with propriety apply the language of 'Paddy's 
Excelsior'' : 

" A bright, buxom young girl, such as likes to be kissed. 
Axed him wouldn't he stop, and how could he resist ? 
So, schnapping his finger and winking his eye. 
While schmiling upon her, he made this reply — 
' Faith, I meant to keep on till I got to the top, 
But, as yer schwate self has asked me, I may as well stop.' " 

"He stopped all night and he stopped all day. 
An' ye musn't be axin' when he did get away ; 
For wouldn't he be a bastely gossoon 
To be leavin' his darlint in the schwate honey moon? 
When the ould man had pertaties enough and to spare — 
Sure, he might as well shtay, if he's comfortable there." 

"But at last he had to go. His foot got well in spite of all he and Rachel could do. 
And so, some fair morning he said good-bye to the kind-hearted young family, who nursed 
him in his sickness, and joined some company of convalescents, or fell in with a body of 
troops guarding some provision train on its way to the front, finding the army, as I have 
said, away up in the Susquehanna region. We need not follow his military history 
further. Suffice it to say that he served to the end of the war, being present at the sur- 
render of Cornwallis at Yorktown. When the army was disbanded he wended his way 
back to his old camping ground, near Lake Poconoming, married Rachel Young, bought 
a fann on the Susquehanna, and wrote to his parents in Belfast informing them he intended 
to stay in America. He raised a family of children, who have many descendants, includ- 
ing Gilmores, Eckarts, and a great many Appels. After his family had grown up and 
Rachel had died he removed to Easton and lived many years at the Bushkill comer. He 
entertained many people with stories of the Revolution of an afternoon or evening, and 
died in the year 1823. ^^ 'i^^ buried in the Reformed graveyard, on Mount Jefferson, 
in Easton. 

"This Thomas Gilmore was the grandfather of the Appel family, so well known, and 
so highly esteemed in the Reformed Church. The Rev. Thomas Gilmore Appel, D. D. , 
President of Franklin and Marshal College, and professor in Theological Seminary at 
Lancaster, Pa., bears the name of his grandfather, of whose military and matrimonial 
experiences I have just been speaking. To him and to his brother, the Rev. Theodore 
Appel, D. D., for many years an esteemed professor in Franklin and Marshal College, as 
well as to others of their family in the holy ministry, the Reformed Church owes a 
lasting debt of gratitude for a lifetime of faithful and self-sacrificing service of love to the 
church." 

When the Revolutionary war closed and the Constitution was adopted, the govern- 
ment started on its sacred mission. Washington, who had saved the country, was chosen 
to govern it. The people had not learned the nature of a free government. Many under- 
stood freedom to mean a license to obey or resist the laws, according as fancied interest or 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 201 

passion might dicftate. And the terrible excesses of the French Revolution had given 
strength to this misapprehension of the nature of freedom. This state of things gave 
Washington the most serious trouble during his administration. The revenues of the 
country from imports were insufficient for the expenses of the government and a diredl 
tax became necessary. A tax was laid upon whiskey, a large amount of which was dis- 
tilled in the western part of Pennsylvania. The men engaged in this business determined 
to resist the payment of the hated tax and organized to make the resistance formidable. 
It was not safe for the colle<fi:ors to go among the people, their lives were in danger, and 
their duties could not be discharged. Genet, the French Minister, had taken advantage 
of this insurre<5lionary spirit and openly encouraged the people in distilling distri(5ls to 
resist the government. Encouraged by the Frenchman, the disaffe<5led rose in arms. 
Washington saw the time for a6lion had come. General Lee, with a strong detachment 
of troops, was sent to the scene of disturbance and dispersed the rioters. In Easton, two 
companies volunteered to aid the government. These companies were commanded by 
Captain John Arndt and Captain John Barnet. They were absent some months from 
home. They went no farther than Carlisle, and were ordered to return. Though they 
were never called into adlion, they showed their patriotism in readily volunteering to 
defend their government in an hour of danger. The author has not been able to find the 
muster rolls of these companies. But one name so far has been found, that of Jacob 
Diehl, the court crier, whose descendants are still among us, as he was the grandfather of 
Mr. B. M. Youells. The Whiskey Rebellion, and its complete suppression by the gov- 
ernment, had a good influence upon the people. They learned the wholesome lesson that 
while the people of the Republic ele6led their own rulers, and tluis indirectly made their 
own laws, they must obey these as well as if they lived under laws made by kings. 

The next period of the military history' is the war of 1812. The war of the Revolu- 
tion virtually closed with the surrender of Cornwallis, in 1781. But its results left a bit- 
terness in the minds of the English people, and a feeling of hostility among the 
Americans towards the English. In the progress of the French Revolution, the people of 
the United States sympathized with France and became more unfriendly to England. The 
English harassed our commerce and failed to fulfill the stipulations of the Treaty of 1783. 
These feelings were deepened by the arrogance of England in enforcing restriiftions upon 
the commerce of the Republic. All thinking men saw that war would be the result of the 
increasing animosities. June 19, 1812, war was declared against England, and Congress pre- 
pared for battle. No part of Pennsylvania was invaded, and there was little that Easton 
could do in the contest. And not till 1814, was there anything to call it into action. 
The English army had entered the Chesapeake, and it was supposed that Philadelphia 
was their obje(5Hve point. President Madison called out the militia to the number of 
ninety-three thousand five hundred. The English army did not come to Philadelphia, 
but went to Washington and burned the public buildings. The people of Easton were 
watching the movements of the enemy and were expedling news of a serious kind. Large 
numbers had assembled at Nicholas' Hotel to hear from the seat of war. An express mes- 
senger had been sent to meet the stage, get the papers, and hurry back in advance. He 
soon returned and brought the astounding news that the Capitol was burned. The English 
army had taken Washington City, the President had fled, the public buildings were 
destroyed. The excitement was intense. The bell of the Court House was rung, martial 



202 THE HISTORY OF 

music paraded the streets, and the people could hardly have been more excited if the enemy 
had been expe6led in Easton. A company was formed that numbered over sixty. Abra- 
ham Horn was eledled captain. The Lehigh Valley History tells us there were seven 
brothers in this company by the name of Horn, but the writer finds only four in the 
printed list in the History of Northampton County. The ladies were as patriotic as their 
brothers. As soon as they had ascertained that the company had been raised, they formed 
themselves into sewing societies, and within three days had provided the company with 
uniforms, clothing, blankets, knapsacks, and all that was needed for comfort. On the 
morning they left for the front, they paraded through the principal streets of the town, and 
many people from the country came to see them off. During their march through the 
town, a beautiful flag was presented to the company by Miss RosannaBeidleman, which had 
been made by the ladies as a parting tribute. The company marched to Camp Dupont 
but was never called into action. The war was ended at New Orleans, and the Easton 
soldiers returned without firing a shot. 

The following is the muster roll (History of Northampton County, p. 82) of the First 
Company, First Rifle Regiment, at Camp Dupont, Nov. 13, 1814 : 



Captain — Abraham Horn, Jr. 
First Lieutenant — J. Horu. 
Second Lieutenant — J. Dingier. 
Ensign — J. Biglow. 
Sergeants — M. Horn, 

F. Mattes, 

C. Hay. 



First Corporals — S. Moore, 
E. Fortner, 
• J. Shipe, 

J. Dill. 
j1///sieians — W. Thompson, 
J. Horn. 



J. Luckenbach, 
C. Bowers, 
W. Mixsell, 
W. Evans, 
G. Lottig, 
J. Bossier, 
P. Miller, 
N. Dealy, 
H. Miller, 
J. Doan, 
T. Shank, 
F. Warmkessel, 
F. Jackson, 
J. Hartly, 
J. Mesene, 



PRIVATES. 

G. Shewell, 

J. Bossier, 

D. Roth, 

J. Seiple, 

W. Berlin, 

W. Wilhelm, 

J. Smith. 

A. Keyselback, 

C. Carey, 

J. P. Breinenbach, 

P. Storks, 

J. Grub, 

A. H. Barthold, 

I. Keider, 



A. Grub, 
J. Falkner, 
H. Pine, 
W. Shick, 
E. Metier, 
J. Barnes, 
J L. Jackson, 
J. Kilpatrick, 
A. Flag, 
C. Genther, 
A. Ward, 
G. Dingier, 
J. Shipe. 
J. Kelso. 



It is interesting to look over these old muster rolls and mark the names of families whose 
ancestors so readily took up arms in defence of home and our country's honor. When 
Miss Rosanna Beidleman presented the flag to the company it was received by the ensign, 
who was "a thorough Dutchman." The fair donor, as she handed the flag, remarked, 
"Under this flag march on to glory and vidlory." The sturdy German replied "I is de 
man." This speech, as it was called, was the source of a good deal of amusement to the 
company in their weary march. While the company was tramping through heat and 
dust, .some deep voice would break the silence by crying out "I is de man," followed by 



EASl^ON, PENN'A. 



203 



the hearty laugh of the soldiers. But the flag was always in place, and no doubt the brave 
German would have given it up only with his life. The thought of the burning of the 
public buildings in Washington City made them feel like having revenge. But after 
wearily waiting at Camp Dupont, they returned to Easton and waited for General Jackson 
to strike the vengeful blow at New Orleans. If the Atlantic cable had been in use at that 
time, the battle of New Orleans would not have taken place, as the treaty of peace was 
signed in Ghent, December 24, 1814, and this memorable battle was fought January 8, 
1815, fifteen days after the treaty of peace was signed. And what is remarkable about this 
treaty is that not one word is mentioned about the causes which led to this expensive and 
destrucflive war. 

One of the noted military companies of Easton was formed in 1816, and named the 
"Easton Union Guards." Hon. David D. Wagener was elected captain and remained in 





Michael Bdtz. 



Lawrence Titus. 



command of the company till its dissolution in 1829. This company was for many years 
the pride of Easton, and had among its members the best citizens of the town. Mr. Michael 
Butz and Mr. Lawrence Titus are still living, and were members of this company. 
(Michael Butz, grandfather of the present Michael Butz, was a member of the military 
company of 1763.) The visit of Lafayette to this country in 1824 was one of the most 
interesting events in the history of the Republic. It called into life once more the memo- 
ries of the Revolutionary struggles in which Washington and Lafayette fought side by 
side. It awoke all the enthusiasm which swept over the nation when Coruwallis fell and 
liberty was secure. The joy of the people knew no bounds. Cannon echoed from hill-top 
and valley all over the land. The music of national airs swelled on every breeze. The 
stars and stripes, which the noble Frenchman had helped to make a national banner, met 
the eye at every turn. Cities vied with each other in showing honors to this friend of 
Washington ; the flags of the United States and France hung festooned all over the land. 



204 THE HIST O K ) ' O F 

The passage of Lafayette through the country was a triumphal march, in which he received 
a continued ovation. The gray-haired patriots who had fought by his side, came to meet 
him, and wept like children as they gazed upon his person. A day was soon set for his 
reception in Philadelphia, when the city of brotherly love would extend the hand of fra- 
ternal kindness, and show; the appreciation of patriotic hearts. Easton was wild with 
delight, and the old field-piece on Mount Jefferson spoke their joy, and the flags were waving 
at every available point. The Easton Union Guards were well disciplined and anxious to 
march to honor him whom they loved so well. Captain David D. Wagener issued a call 
for the Guards to asseirAle on the Square with two days' provisions and go down the river 
to Philadelphia. It was a beautiful morning, and one of the most exciting days in the 
history of Easton. The company was promptly in line, stepped into the Durham boats 
and sped on their way. A more liveh- and jovial company never floated down this historic 
stream than on that memorable day. Thousands on the shores watched the progress of the 
fleet and rent the air with their shouts, and ladies waved their handkerchiefs in token of 
delight. There were people from Easton who watched the company as they landed and 
began their march with such military precision and grace as to excite their pride, and the 
admiration of all who beheld them. It was easy for the company to float down the river 
as they made the air vocal with their mirthful songs ; but a much more unpleasant task to 
spend two days in marching home through dust and heat. The following is the muster 
roll of the company taken from a manuscript copy : 

EASTON UNION GUARDS MUSTER ROLL, 1824. 

David D. Wagener, Captain, Thomas Arnold, Third Sergeant. 

Peter S. Michler, First Lieutenant, Charles J. Ihrie, Fourth Seroeaiit, 

Samuel Snyder, Second Lieutenant, John Oliver, First Corporal, 

Robert Wallace, Ensign, Lewis Reichard, Second Corporal, 

John Cooper, Jr., Orderly Sergeant, George Shick, Third Corporal, 

John Lowry, Second Sergeant, Michael Butz, Fourth Corporal. 

OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY AT DIFFERENT TIMES. 

Charles Lombard, Crt//i?/«, Joseph Morgan, Second Lieutenant, 

Peter Ihrie, Jr., First Lieutenant, Francis Jackson, Sergeant, 

George C. Hutter, Second Leiutenant, James A. Patterson, Corporal. 

John Stewart, Corporal. 

DRUM CORPS. 

George Straub, Fife Major, John Finley, Drummer, 

Charles Horn, Drum Major, Jacob Batt, Drummer. 

John Reichard, Base Drum. 

LEADERS OF BAND AT DIFFERENT TIMES. 
John Straub, Anthony B. Johnson, John Schultz, John Coates, Jacob Till. 

MEMBERS OF BAND. 

Hiram Yard, Clarionet, Peter Tilton, Bassoon, 

William Wertman, Clarionet, William Hemsing, Serpent, 

George Cole, Clarionet, Phillip Reichard, Horn, 

Samuel Troxell, Clarionet, Phillip H. Mattes, Horn, 

S. Gross, Clarionet, John Kessler, Cymbals, 

Timothy Vaudike, Clarionet, John Mixsell, Triangle, 

Henry Hutter, Clarionet, Thomas Heckman, Flute, 

William Hutter, Clarionet, Charles Menner, Flute, 

John Stewart, Clarionet. William White, Flute. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



205 



Robert Arnold, 
Jacob Abel, Jr., 
John Await, 
George Arnold, 
Benjamin F. Arndt, 
Peter Bishop, 
James Black, 
Thomas S Bell, 
Jos. Bigelow, Sei'gi. 
John Bell, Sergt. 
Sam'l Bachman, Sergt. 
Henry Barnes, Sergt. 
John Bachman, 
Jacob Bornman, 
Nicholas Best, 
Jacob Best, 
William Berlin, 
Isaac Carey, 
Charles Carey, 
William Carey, 
William Clouse, 
Jacob Coryell, 

Coleman, 

Ira Cook, 
Charle Crowell, 
Joseph Dietrich, 
Sidne)- Down, 
Valentine Deily, 
George W- Deshler, 
Henry Drinkhouse. 
Abraham Dehart, 
John Dehart, 
George Dingier, 
vSamuel Dingier, 
William Doran, 
A. Driesbach, 
William Eichman, 
Jacob Everhart, 
William Everhart, 
Simon Frantz, 
David Focht, 
Jacob Focht, 
William Garis, 
Charles Genther, 
William Gwinner, 
William Gardner. 
William Garron, 
Thomas Grotz, 
Jacob Ilartman, 
Josiah P Hetrich, 
Joseph Horn, 
Conrad Heckmau, 
Charles Heckman, 



MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY. 
Abraham Heckman, 
Peter Hawk, 
George R. Howell, 
George A. Hice, 
Hiram Heckman, 
Ezekiel Howell, 
George Hare, 
Charles Hay, 
John Hay, 
Melchoir Ha}', 
John Haggerty, 
George Heigel, 
John Herster, 
William Ihrie, 
Francis Jackson, Scrgl. 
Phineas Kinsey, 
George Kessler, 
John Kutz, 
George Kutz, 
Abraham Keiter, 
Henry Kessler, 
Jacob Kisselbach, 
Thomas Kreider, 
George S. Kerhart, 
William Kern, 
Samuel Kutz, 
William H. Keiper, 
Jonathan A Kinsey, 
Jacob Killpatrick, 
John Leidy, 
Frank Leidy, 
Henry Leidy, 
Jacob Lattig, 
George Lattig, 
Jacob Ludwig, 
William Lynch, 
Jacob Lesher, 
Jacob Mettler, 
Eli Mettler, 
David Mettler, 
Isaac Meyers, 
Samuel Mellick, 
David Mi.xsell, 
Philip Mixsell, 
William Mixsell, 
Powell Moser, 
Andrew McClav, 
F. W. Mueller,' 
Samuel Moore, 
John Moore, 
Peter Moore, 
Charles Messinger, 
Jacob Noll, 



John Nowck, 
William Nagel, 
Charles Nicholas. 
Peter Odenwelder, 
Michael Otto, 
Jas. A. Patterson, Coi 
John Pruch, 
George Pruch, 
Nathaniel Price, 
James Pritchard, 
John Price, 
Daniel Phillipe, 
Solomon A. Rogers, 
George Ross, 
Frederick Rouse, 
Abraham Rohn, 
Charles Rohn, 
Jacob Shuck, 
Charles Snyder, 
George Shewell, 
Jacob Shipe, 

Skillman, 

Samuel Shick, 
Alexander Schick, 
Jacob Shick, 
David Stem, 
Daniel Snyder, 
Da\'id Snyder, 
David Stidinger, 
Thomas Shank, 
Charles Snyder, 
William Shick, 
John Snyder, 
John Simon, 
William P. Spering, 
William Snyder, 
Andrew Shewell, 

Spangenburg, 

George Taylor, 
John Troxsell, 
William Troxsell, 
Joseph Troxsell, 
Michael Trittenbach, 
John Titus, 
Lawrence Titus, 
William Ward, 
Charles Ward, 
Jacob Weaver, 
George Weaver, 
William Woodriug, 
Joseph Wycoff, 
William Yates, 
Robert G. Youells. 



The above is I believe, a full and correft list of the whole of the members of the Easton Union Guards. 

JOHN COOPER, Jr., Orderly. 



2o6 



THE HISTORY OF 



At this time Eastoii could boast of several volunteer companies. The military spirit 
ran high, and many of the most prominent citizens were in the ranks. We give the mus- 
ter roll of the Easton Artillerists as it stood June 30th, 1821, and regret that we have been 
unable to secure those of other companies. 

Captain — William K. Sitgreaves. 
First Lieutenant -William L. Sebring. 
Second Lieutenant — Isaac C. Wyckoff. 

Orderly Sergeants — William Barnet, Jr , Abraham Osterstock, Alexander Eagles and George Lerch. 
Corporals— "Sa-coh Shipe, John Barnet, Jr., Jacob Brotzmau and Joseph Dill. 

Artificers— lo\m. Burt, Jacob Gangwehr, John Brotzmau, Christian Hornish, Alexander Berthold, John 
Shipe, Enoch Clark and Henry Wilhelm. 
Drum Major — Samuel Horn. 
Fife Major — Peter Hay. 

PRIVATES. 



John Able, 
Samuel Batt, 
John Brauham, 
William Eixler, 
Joseph Buck, 
John Braeder, 
Wm. Bittenbender, 
John Buzzard, 
John Batt, 
David Barnet, 
John Bunstein, 
Josiah Davis, 
Robert Depue, 
James Doran, 
John Erb, 
John Everett, 
Lawrence Easterwood, 
Samuel Engle, 
Christian Flemming, 
Michael Fraley, 
Frederick Fraley, 
EHas Geiger, 
John Horn, 
Samuel Heintzelman, 
Joseph Horn, 
Melchior Horn, 
Joseph Herster, 
Joseph Howell, 
Jacob Hartzell, 
Jacob Hackman, 
Moses Heiss, 

Three commissioned officers, 
privates. Total, one hundred and 



John M. Hocker, 
George Hineline, 
Henry G. Kortz, 
Jacob Kilpatrick, 
Chas. Kisselbach, Jr. 
David Kichline, 
John Kriedler, 
Michael Lawall, 
Lloyd Lee, 
Clark Lowry, 
William Levers, 
Jonathan Lick, 
Henry Leidich, 
Isaac Levan, 
Isaac Maize, 
William Miller, 
Abraham Miller, 
Hiram Miller, 
Chas. McGregor, 
Peter Osterstock, 
Peter Pomp, 
David Price, 
Augustus Patier, 
George Reichard, 
Thomas Roberts, 
John Roberts, 
Daniel Raub, 
Isaac Saylor, 
Samuel Sweitzer, 
Jacob Smith, 

RECAPITULATION, 
eight non-commissioned officers. 



Samuel Shouse, 
Jacob Shick, 
George Sigman, 
Edward Shank, 
F. Spangenberg, 
William Shouse, 
Joseph Snyder, 
Charles Snyder, 
John Smith, 
William Stevenson, 
Jacob Sigman, 
George Smith, 
Daniel Schwender, 
Charles Schenck, 
George Trittenbach, 
John Tilton, 
Amos Titus, 
Jacob Troxell, 
Henry Wagener, 
Jacob Wilhelm, 
Jacob Wallace, 
George West, 
Thomas Wej'gandt, 
Samuel Wilhelm, 
William Wilking, 
Barnet Walter, 
John D. Weiss, 
Charies E. Wolf, . 
Henry Wolraught, 
Samuel Yohe 



eight .artificers, two musicians, ninety-one 



In the interval between 1824 and 1842, the year of the Delaware Encampment, the 
military organizations of Easton were highly proficient in drill, ably officered, and well 
sustained by the people. The memories of the older citizens are full of reminiscences — 
of parades, excursions, balls and banquets, and did space admit much could be added as 



EASTOA, PENN'A. 207 

to the doings in that period of the "boldsoldier boys. " By the references in the papers of 
the time, as far as they can be gathered from incomplete files, it will be seen that no 
public festivities were complete without the presence of the military, and that they were 
as efficient in preserving good order as they were in adding to the pleasures of holiday 
celebrations. 

CAMP DELAWARE. 

On the i8th of June, 1842, a large meeting of citizens assembled at the house of Mr. 
John Bachman, to take into consideration the obje<ft of having a Military Encampment at 
Easton. Richard Brodhead was appointed president, and H. D. Maxwell, Samuel Sher- 
rerd, John A. Innes and Col. D. W. Butz were appointed vice presidents. Dr. C. C. 
Field and John J. Herster were appointed secretaries. 

On motion of Capt. Andrew H. Reeder, it was unanimously — 

Resolved^ That we hold a Military Encampment in the vicinity of Easton, in the 
month of September next. 

Resolved^ That a committee of ten persons be appointed to procure a proper location, 
and make all necessary arrangements for the encampment. 

Capt. Abm. Mixsell, Col. D. W. Butz, Abraham Miller, Capt. S. Yohe, Capt. A. H. 
Reeder, Capt. L. Titus, Lieut. John J. Herster, Lieut. H. Winter, Lieut. Geo. W. Barnet 
and Lieut. D. W. Davis were appointed. 

The location chosen by the committee was on the south side of the Lehigh, on the 
hill overlooking the Borough of Easton. 

The following, concerning the encampment, is taken from the "Easton Argus," 
September 8, 1842 : 

"The encampment, of which we gave a hasty notice last week, was really a grand 
affair and seems to have given satisfa6lion to all concerned in it. Judging from the num- 
ber of spectators, and the length of time they remained to witness the evolutions of the 
military, our good citizens enjoyed a treat such as has rarely fallen to their lot. The 
committee of arrangements had everything in due preparation for the reception of their 
military guests. The ground for the camp was well chosen. The south side of the 
Lehigh, on a hill overlooking the Borough of Easton, was the spot chosen for the point 
of attraction. On Monday evening the Doylestown Grays arrived, and were received 
with due ceremony by our militar}- companies. On Tuesday morning the Philadelphia 
companies arrived, and with them General Cadwallader, to whom the command of the 
camp was given. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in company and regimental drills, 
and on Wednesday the Governor and his staff" arrived to witness the grand review. The 
whole exhibition, when fully formed, consisted of the following officers and companies : 

Governor Porter, Commander-in-Chief 

Governor's Staff". 

New Jersey — Maj. Gen. Blane, Brig. Gen. A. C. Davis, Judge Adv. James N. Reading, 

Col. Joseph Reading, Col. A. V. Bonnel. 

Pennsylvania — Maj. Gen. Conrad Shinier, Maj. Wilson, Maj. Robert Brown, Brig. Gen. 

Peter Ihrie, Adj. Gen. Adam Dilles, Lieut. Col. William H. Hutter, 

Col. S. Humes Porter. 

Cavalry — Bucks County Troop, Capt. Archambault ; Forks Tsp. Troop, Capt. Whitesell. 



2o8 



THE H I STORY O !■' 







*^^m I^^A .JL4 



-4 « V ■"i^« 



i,^ 




VIEW OF CAMP DELAWARE. [FK<iM DKAUINi, BY MRS. M'CARTNEV, 



1842.] 



The First Regiment was commanded by Colonel James Page, of Philadelphia, and 
was composed of the following companies : 

Philadelphia Grays — Lieutenant Hastings, Commander. 
State Fencibles — Lieutenant Goldey, Commander. 
Washington Blues — Captain Patterson. 
National Guards — Captain Tustin. 
Holmesburg Marion Grays — Captain Dougherty. 
The Second Regiment was commanded by Colonel Smith, of Philadelphia, and con- 
sisted of the following companies : 

Democratic Artillerists — Captain Reeder (Easton). 

National Guards — Captain Yohe (Easton). 

Lambertsville Cadets — Captain Cole. 

Doylestown Grays — Captain Pugh. 

Lehigh Artillerists — Captain Morehead. 

Washington Grays (Quakertown) — Captain Sickel. 

Belvidere Infantry — Captain Searles. 

Washington Rangers — Captain Saylor. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 209 

"Such was the material of which the encampment was formed. The officers were in- 
defatigable in their exertions to form their regiments and train them to the drill. The 
evening parade was an imposing part of the ceremonies, and the soldiers entered with 
spirit into the matter. To General Cadwallader too much praise cannot be given. He 
was at every point — at regiment drill, at company drill, at morning parade, at evening 
parade, directing at all points, and proving himself a most efficient officer. Easton will 
long remember the officer who commanded at Camp Delaware, and General Cadwallader 
carries with him to his home the warmest good wishes of our citizens for his prosperity 
and happiness. 

"Governor Porter and his staff were received with the customary salutes. His Excel- 
lency seemed in verj' good health, and remained on the field from eleven to two o'clock 
at the grand review. The ladies of the borough furnished a goodly quantity of cake and 
such 'fixens,' and contributed to the comfort of the 'stern' times. 

"The band of music from Philadelphia, brought hither under the auspices of General 
Cadwallader, must not be forgotten. They are an honor to the city. Besides their en- 
livening the 'battle field' with their 'sonorous metal blowing martial sounds,' they 
gave several serenades through the borough, and acquitted themselves more than well. 

"The firing and charge of the cavalry on review day had an imposing effect, and 
seemed to give a more corre(5l idea of a bona-fide battle than any other manoeuvre per- 
formed. The best part of the battle was, that no one was killed, wounded or missing. 
Would that battles were as well fought and as harmless. 

"But the military, though numbering from 700 to 800, did not make up the whole at- 
tra<flion. The fireworks exhibited in the camp, and in the borough, drew much attention. 
Mr. Jackson, the pyrotechnist, put forth his skill, and the ' red, white and blue ' 
illumined the darkness, and gave a treat that the citizens of the borough have seldom 
witnessed. 

"Besides this a concourse of people, estimated from 15,000 to 20,000 in number, gave 
attendance from day to day. The sun shone brightly, or just enough obscured to prevent 
the heat from becoming oppressive. No rain fell during the week. 

"The tents were pitched in an orchard, with the open parade ground immediately ad- 
joining. The soldiers could repose under the protedlion of their tents, or of the trees, as 
they most desired, and the numerous spe<5lators enjoyed the cool shade while witnessing 
the military display. 

"Not an intemperate man was to be seen. This is, however, fully accounted for by 
the fadl that the encampment was on the same site, the identical spot where the Martha 
Washington Society celebrated the last Fourth of July. 

"The fadl is worth noticing, that, notwithstanding the immense concourse of vehicles 
and individuals on foot and horse-back, not the slightest accident occurred during the 
encampment. This speaks volumes for the temperance and good order that prevailed, 
and which elicited the praise and commendation of all present. Would that all such 
assemblages were conducted with equal harmony, peace, order, and militar}' spirit. 

"To the numerous volunteers who favored us with their presence, and who are now 
safely arrived at their homes, we wish happiness and long life, freedom from real battles, 
and a frequent recurrence of the pleasant times they enjoyed during their encampment at 
Camp Delaware." 



2IO THE HISTORY OF 

THE MILITARY AND THE BOATMEN'S RIOT. 

No better instance of the effe6liveness of the presence of a body of well-disciplined 
citizen-soldiery, in suppressing riotous outbreaks, can be furnished than the strike of the 
Canal Boatmen in 1843 ^o^ ^'^ advance of wages. Their a<5tion obstrudled navigation, 
and the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company suffered great loss by its inability to 
deliver coal in accordance with its contradls. All efforts at compromise were unavail- 
ing. The boatmen would not yield. One by one they tied up between Chain Dam and 
Freemansburg, until several hundred boats had been colledled. 

As there were ordinarily three men to a boat, able-bodied, determined fellows, they 
had a force of some hundreds, ready for desperate work, if need be. The wives and 
families of the captains were, in many cases, with them, and added not a little to the 
clamor, and to the courage of the men, in insisting upon what they alleged to be their 




EASTON SCENERY — VIEW ON THE LEHIGH NEAR THE EASTON DAM. 



rights. Their cause was aided too, indirecflly, by the sympathy of the outside public, 
and by the customary prejudice against large corporations. 

The letter of a correspondent from Easton to the "Newark Advertiser," copied in 
the "Democratic Union" of Harrisburg, of date 20th of July, 1843, recites the fa(5l of 
the stoppage of navigation, and its ruinous consequences to the company, and the una- 
vailing efforts to come to any agreement with the leaders of the striking boatmen, and 
then speaks thus of the condition of the strikers : 

"They made a parade at Easton a few days ago, and presented a forlorn spectacle. 
Ragged, bare-footed, half-dressed men, to the number of two hundred and fifty, movmted 
on half-starved mules and horses, without saddles and using ropes for bridles, were fol- 
lowed by a more destitute-looking set on foot, mostly without shoes. They excited a 



EASTON, PENN'A. zii 

great deal of attention on their way through the streets of the town, and on all sides 
were expressions of sympathy and regret. It was a sorrowful spe(5lacle. Many of them 
felt that they were wronged, that the company could pay more; but on behalf of the 
latter such was said not to be the fa<5t." 

An extradl from " The North American " in issue of the same paper, of August 6th, 
1843, says : 

"The strike which took place among the boatmen on the Lehigh Canal in June last, 
continues, and business has been entirely suspended on the whole line for five weeks. 
We are indebted to some of our Easton friends for the following particulars : There is a 
continuous line of boats laden with coal extending from the basin at Easton more than 
two miles up the canal. The empty boats are drawn up across the canal near the outlet 
lock at the lower part of the basin. No boats are permitted to pass up or down the 
canal. 

" On Monday forenoon last some of the contracftors with several citizens from Mauch 
Chimk and other places, came to Easton for the purpose of enabling a number of well- 
disposed boatmen to proceed with their boats. The sheriff of Northampton County and 
several magistrates and constables were also with them. Asa Packer, of Mauch Chunk, 
a member of the Legislature, and several other persons proceeded on board one of the 
boats, and the former commenced untying the rope which attached her to the other boats. 
His objedl was no sooner discovered by one of the guards left on duty by the malcontents, 
than he blew a horn, when a large number of the disaffetled boatmen rushed from all 
quarters to the spot, attacked Mr. Packer, and knocked him into the river. They then 
let fly a volley of stones and other missiles at his companions, who being greatly outntim- 
bered, promptly retreated. Mr. Packer during the melee swam ashore, and succeeded in 
making his escape ; the disaffecfled boatmen remaining undisputed masters of the fleet. 

" The military in the vicinity have been called out, but the officers (we think very 
properly) objected to acting the part of policemen, and therefore declined ordering out 
their companies. 

" One day last week two captains attempted to get their boats under way, when they 
were promptly seized and thrown into the river, and their boats forcibly detained." 

The writer was mistaken as to the position of the military. They sympathized with 
the sufferings of the boatmen, but yielded obedience to law, and when called upon 
promptly responded. They were not called upon until the strike had continued some 
time longer, and a boatman who favored a compromise had been murdered. 

From William H. Thompson, Esq., one of our best known citizens, who served as a 
substitute with the military upon that occasion, we learn that Mr. Packer was rescued by 
Joseph Savitz ; and that upon the call of the sheriff, the two military companies of the 
borough assembled quietly in the yard of the Franklin House, formed ranks, and under 
command of their respedlive captains, Yolie and Horn, marched under the archway of 
the house (since closed) into Northampton street and thence to the scene of the riot. 

Their pieces loaded, each with a ball and three buckshot, added firmness to the 
regular tread of their ranks, and gave a serious cast to the countenances of the crowds 
upon the sidewalks. The strikers grew suddenly serious, too, at their presence, and 
quietly bowed to the law represented by the citizen soldiery, and again, save for the 
tooting of the boatman's horn, 'all was quiet along the lyehigh.' 



212 THE HISTORY OF 

THE CHARACTER OF THE EASTON COMPANIES. 

The military spirit of Easton always gave prominence to her volnnteer companies. 
They were noted for the superior men of their ranks, and their high grades in drills and 
discipline. For years Judge Samuel Yohe and Andrew H. Reeder, Esq., commanded 
rival companies, and officers and men of each vied in soldierly competition. 

At a later day under other commanders this honorable rivalry continued. It insured 
spirited observance of the national holidays. Such days would open with cannon firing 
on Mount Jefferson — the beautiful and bold bluff in the centre of the borough, whose 
summit Bryant, in his Letters of a Traveller in 1824, said would be crowned with a 
castle, if in Europe — and owed much of their life to the artistic melody of Pomp's Cornet 
Band, and the vigorous martial music of the various drum corps, notably Major Mixsell's. 

A prominent newspaper, "The Home Journal and Citizen Soldier," in May, 1845, thus 
speaks of two of the Easton companies and the captains mentioned above : 

" There is no finer body of men in the State than those composing the two companies 
at Easton — the Artillery commanded by Captain Reeder and the National Guards by Captain 
Yohe. Both companies are in a highly prosperous condition, with the addition of new 
members continually, and as for discipline, soldierly bearing and gallant condudl, they 
can't be beat — not easy. Captain Yohe, when in uniform, is a perfecft beau-ideal of an 
officer, one that Napoleon, or Frederick the Great, at first sight would have stamped as 
such — and better than all he is as good as he looks. Captain Reeder is also a fine officer 
and has a splendid company. His company formerly wore a gray dress, but they have 
lately adopted the regular blue uniform. Success and prosperity to our friends at Easton." 

MILITARY NOTES FROM THE LOCAL PRESS. 

In Easton newspapers of the same month, appear notices of parade of the Easton 
Fencibles, by its Orderly Sergeant, Melchior H. Horn, and of the National Guards by its 
Orderly Sergeant, Adam Yohe. 

News of outrages upon American citizens in Mexico appeared side by side with these 
military items. Week b)- week the slower mails of that day brought news from which 
resulted the Mexican war. 

The death of Andrew Jackson on the 8th of June, 1845, was the occasion of a great 
military and civic procession in Easton on Saturday, the 28th of June. The Easton Fen- 
cibles and National Guards headed, with full ranks and craped arms, the long funeral 
cortege, composed of all the societies of the borough, the faculty and students of Lafay- 
ette College, soldiers of the late war, clergy and citizens generally. They marched in 
columns of six abreast, under marshalship of General Peter Ihrie, and to time of most 
touching and tender music, to St. John's Church, where the exercises opened by the 
singing of a beautiful dirge written by Mrs. John L. Gray, and Washington McCartney 
delivered an oration, original in its treatment of life incidents, and masterly in its anal- 
ysis of the chara6ler of the Old Hero. 

Friday, the Fourth day of July, following, witnessed a lively and general celebration, 
in which the local companies and a visiting military company from Mauch Chunk were 
prominent participants. Parades were frequent during these years, far too many for 
notice, and the great interest taken in military matters was charadleristic of the prouii- 



E ASTON, J'ENN'A. 213 

iient business men engaged who gave to them the close attention by which their personal 
business was made successful. Besides the names given, those of John Eyerman, John 
Maxwell, W. H. Thompson, and many others frequently appear. 

In an editorial of the "Easton Daily Express," in the sixth number of its issue, published 
then in the morning, of Saturday, November 10, 1855, appears a complaint of the decay 
of martial spirit in Easton, notwithstanding the growth of the place, and a desire to see 
the good old times return, when national holidays were lively "with booming of cannon 
and ringing of bells, large company musters and crowds of country lasses and their beaus; 
when our borough could boast of a Charley Hinkle and his nimble-footed, eagle-eyed 
riflemen, Weygandt and his bold volunteers, Porter and his dashing cavaliers, Sitgreaves 
and Sebring with their grim-visaged artillerymen, Wagner with his noble Guards, Shu- 
man and his prim-tidy Cadets, Ihrie and Yohe with their gallant Greys, Butz with his 
splendid Blues, or in later days the fine companies commanded by those gallant spirits. 
Captains Yohe and Reeder. " 

THE TAYLOR MONUMENT DEDICATION. 
This beautiful monument, a description of which has already appeared in these 
pages, ere6led in the Easton Cemetery to the memory of George Taylor, one of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence, was dedicated with imposing ceremonies, in 
which military companies took a prominent part, on Tuesday afternoon, November 20, 
1855. The full statement in the "Daily Express" extra of that date gives a long list of 
visiting niilitar}' companies, but mentions none from Easton but the National Guards, 
Captain John Stonebach. This company, with the committee of arrangements, headed 
by Pomp's Cornet Band, escorted the military visitors up Third street, down Northamp- 
ton street and around the Public Square to their quarters. A salute, during the inarch, 
was fired from Gallows Hill. In the afternoon the procession formed on East Northamp- 
ton street in the following order : 

Major General Laury and Staff. 

Major Burnham, Major Stuart. 

Washington Cavalry — Captain Wenner. 

Pomp's Cornet Band. 

Bethlehem Artillery — Captain Wilson. 

Northampton Artillery — Captain Lynn. 

Mauch Chunk Band. 

Cleaver Artillerists — Captain Wolfe. 

Martial Music. 

National Guards — Captain Stonebach. 

Bethlehem Brass Band. 

Allen Rifles — Captain Good. 

Soldiers of the War of 181 2. 

Committee of Arrangements. 

Philadelphia Committee. 

Orator and Reader of Declaration. 

Builder of Monument. 

Clergy. 

Judges and Members of the Bar. 

Direcftors of Cemeter)-. 

Town Council. 

Citizens. 



214 



THE HISTORY OF 



At a stand erected at the base of the eastern slope of the cemetery grounds the pro- 
cession was halted, and after prayer by Rev. Dr. Schaeffer, the Declaration was read by 
General Peter Ihrie, and an oration delivered by Alexander E. Brown, Esq. A large 
crowd of persons had followed the procession, and the immense audience listened eagerly 
to the words of the eloquent orator. 

THE EASTON NATIONAL GUARDS. 

The Easton National Guards were organized September 12, 1848, and continued to be 
the sole military company for some time. The following were the officers in 1856 : 

Captain — John Stonebach. 
First Lieutenant — C. H. Lanning. Fourth Sergeant — Ferd. W. Bell. 

Second Lieutenant — George L. Fried. First Corporal — Wm. vSlaven. 

Orderly Sergeant — John E. Titus. Second Corporal^M. K. Raub. 

Second Sergeant — W. H. Mack. Third Corporal — N. Peterson. 

Third Sergeant — John H. Genther. Fourth Corporal — A. Rothrock. 

The following complete roll of the officers and members of the Guards in 1858 is 
taken from their constitution and by-laws, printed in that year : 



OFFICERS. 



Captain — John E. Titus. 
First Lieutenant — George L- Fried. 
Second Lieutenant — F. W. Bell. 
First Sergeant — Charles H. Yard. 
Second Sergeant— John H. Genther. 
Third Sergeant— ^acoh G. Barnet. 



Fourth Sergeant — Benjamin Smith. 
Quartermaster — ^John Randolph. 
First Corporal — William Slaven. 
Second Corporal^anxes McGloin. 
Third Corporal — William Gaston. 
Fourth Corporal — John H. Reichard. 



John E. Titus, 
George L. Fried, 
Charies H. Yard, 
F. W. Bell, 
John H. Genther, 
Jacob G. Barnet, 
Benjamin Smith, 
William Slaven, 
James McGloin, 
William Gaston, 
John H. Reichard, 
Charles Able, 
Samuel Tnunbore, 
Joseph Hendrickson, 
Samuel Trausue, 
Thomas Bishop, 
Aaron Thatcher, 
James Biglow, 
William J. Minick, 
Madison K. Raub, 
Cornelius Derr, 



ACTIVE MEMBERS. 

Edward Kelley, 
William L. DavMS, 
John A. Frey, 
John H. Flemming, 
George W. Wilhelni, 
William H. Weaver, 
B. F. Amdt, Jr., 
William G. Osterstock, 
Valentine Stocker, 
Augustus F. Heller, 
Daniel W. Snyder, 
William H. Diehl, 
Silas C. Rodgers, 
George Schooley, 
Charles B. Zulich, 
John Purdy, 
James O. Neal, 
John L. Clifton, 
John T. Dingier, 
Joseph Oliver, 



Edward Heckman, 
George Wycar, 
Robert Peacock, 
William M. Mutchler, 
Robert Burrell, 
James Hackett, 
•Augustus G. Templin, 
Charles Knapp, 
Jacob Freyberger, 
Charles Sprow, 
Richard Wolfring, 
George Smith, 
Amos M. Hones, 
John Yohe, 
Charles Osterstock, 
John Buck, 
Samuel Fraunfelder, 
Daniel Nicholas, 
John Randolph, 
Edward Housel. 



The company took part, 06lober 21st, 1S56, in the funeral ceremonies of Captain 
Peter Nungesser, who commanded a company on duty at Marcits Hook, in the war of 



EA S TO .V, PENN' A . 



1812. His company was among the first to offer its services when volnnteers were called 
for in that war. 

On December 27th, 1856, the National Guards visited Trenton, accompanied by 
Pomp's Cornet Band, and took part in a sham battle, in celebration of the real one fought 
there in Revolutionary days. Their condu(5l was highly praised by the thousands of 
spectators. 

THE CITIZENS' ARTILLERY. 
A new military company, the Citizens' Artillery, was organized in May, 1857, at 
Lawall's Hotel, and, as far as can be ascertained, was composed of the following officers 
and members : 

OFFICERS. 
Captain — Jacob Dachrodt. Second Licittenant—loXwx Stotzer. 

First Lieutenant — John P. Ricker. Onlerly Sergeant — ^Johii F. Bachman. 



John Heusler, 

George Hensler, 

Jacob Hensler, 

William Dachrodt, 

Charles Dachrodt, 

John Dachrodt, Jr., 

Jacob Bonstein, 

Lawrence F. Bonstein, 

William Derr, 

John Smith, 

Christian Take, 

Xavier Veile, 

Andrew J. Hay, 

Jackson Hay, 

Jacob Folkeuson, 

Thomas Radenbach, 

Frank Shelling, 

Jacob Keiper, 

David Barnet, 

Joseph Ochenfus, 

John Bruch, 

William Mutchler and Robert P. 



ACTIVE MEMBERS. 

Richard Fraunfelter, 
Max. Wik, 
Edward Troxell, 
David Troxell, 
Jacob F. RafFerty, 
John Rafferty, 
John Frey, 
Josiah Cole, 
John O. Wagener, 
Wesley Drew, 
Aaron Frey, 
Andrew Adams, 
Christian Bach, 
William Otto, 
William Drake, 
David Frankenfield, 
Godfrey Mutchler, 
George Arm, 
Wm. Conahay, 
John Bittenbender, 
William Eichman, 



Daniel Trittenbach, 
Theodore Trittenbach, 
John Rinek, 
James Meyers, 
Jonathan Xander, 
Benjamin Smith, 
William Spangenberg, 
Edward Cook, 
William Sigman, 
William Ricker, 
Jacob Burt, 
William Ginnard, 
Joseph Warner, 
Henry A. Rothrock, 
Levi Fraunfelter, 
Frank Danner, 
Edward Hill, 
E. O. Smith, 
Andrew Burt, 
J. L. Singer, 
John Q. Hay. 

Black were ele(3;ed Lieutenants to iill vacancies at different times. 



The company made a fine appearance on July 4th, 1857, when it a6led as an escort 
to the Washington Grays, of Philadelphia. It was its first parade, and its drill, discipline, 
and beautiful uniforms won applause from the soldiery- visitors and the large crowds 
upon the streets. 

BURIAL OF JOHN F. BACHMAN. 

The funeral obsequies, on Sunday, May 2, 1858, of John F. Bachman, who served 

throughout the Mexican War, had called together the largest number of people ever seen 

in our borough at a like ceremony. Long before the hour appointed for the procession 

to move, the streets in the vicinity of his late residence, on Walnut street, were lined 

upon both sides with throngs of persons of all ages, sexes and conditions. It moved in 

the following order : 

Pomp's Cornet Band. 

National Guards — Captain John E. Titus. 

Citizens' Artillery — Captain Jacob Dachrodt. 



2i6 THE HISTORY OF 

Scott Legion of Philadelphia — Captain Gray. 

Delegation of Citizens of Mauch Chunk. 

Hearse, 

Flanked with Guard of Honor, composed of Soldiers of the Mexican 

War — Comrades of the Deceased. 

Soldiers of 1812. 

Judges and Members of the Bar. 

Printers of Easton, iVIauch Chunk and Allentown. 

Humane Fire Company. 

Citizens Generally. 

A halt was made at St. John's Lutheran Church, where the coffin, draped in the old 
flag of the Stockton Artillerists, was taken into the church and placed in front of the 
pulpit. After prayer by Rev. B. Sadtler, Rev. John Beck delivered an impressive dis- 
course. Through streets lined with people the cortege then moved to the cemetery, 
where the Scott Legion fired over their comrade's grave. The large attendance was a just 
tribute to the worth of the man. The well known lines were never more aptly applied : 

" Noue knew him but to love him, 
Noue named him but to praise." 

Note. — John F. Bachman, printer ; bom in the township of Lower Saucon, Northampton county, January 25, 
183 1 ; educated in the common schools of the township and of Easton ; was a student of Lafayette College for 
one year ; served through the whole of the war with Mexico, and was one of the successful storming party at 
the fortress of Chepultepec, one of the most brilliant feats of the war ; went to California in February, 1849, and 
remained there till August, 1851, when he went to Panama and there issued the Panama Star, the first newspa- 
per published in that city ; was eleAed Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Northampton County in 
OAober, 1S54, and served till his death at Easton, April 29, 1858. 

John C. Driukhouse, another Mexican War Volunteer, was buried at Easton with 
military honors March i, 1859. He had also been with General Walker in his Nicarau- 
guan expedition. 

A FAMOUS CELEBRATION. 

Through protracfted efforts of prominent citizens, the Nation's Holiday, occurring on 
Monday, July 5th, 1858, had an extraordinary celebration in Easton. The day opened 
by the usual salutes from Mount Jefferson and the ringing of the church bells. During 
the whole of the forenoon the streets were kept in a continual uproar by the arrivals of 
the many visiting military companies and their marching to martial music under escort 
of the home troops. 

At one o'clock in the afternoon, the procession wa~ formed on Third street, the right 
resting on Centre Square, under command of Captain John Stonebach, as Chief Marshal, 
and Charles Seitz and Lieutenant Bleecher as assistants, and moved as follows : 

Major General Laury and Staff, Brigadier General R. S. Brown and Staff, 

and Visiting Officers. 

Jackson Cavalry— Captain Charles Whitesell. 

Jackson Grays — Captain Laubach. 

Washington Artillery — Captain J. P. R. Heller. 



E ASTON, PEJVN-'A. 217 

Citizens' Artillery — Captain J. Dachrodt. 
Pennsylvania Guards — Captain E. R. Siegfried. 

Color Guard of the American Flag. 

Guard of the Cap of Liberty, Soldiers of 181 2. 

Pomp's Cornet Band. 

National Guards — Captain J. E. Titus. 

Washington Continentals — Captain Halsey. 

Carpenter's Cornet Band. 

Lambertville Fencibles — Captain S. Lill}'. 

Allen Infantry — Captain Hart. 

Milford Cornet Band. 

Union Cadets — Captain Bertolette. 

Allen Rifles — Captain Good. 

Black Plumed Riflemen — Captain Calvin. 

Rittersville Rifles — Captain Ritter. 

Monroe Guards — Captain Keller. 

After marching through the principal streets, a halt was made at 4 p. m. , in Centre 

Square, and after national airs by Pomp's Cornet Band, prayer was offered by Rev. E. 

Greenwald, the Declaration of Independence was read by E. J. Fox, Esq., and an oration 

of great originality of thought delivered in a captivating way by W. H. Fry, of New 

York, the musical critic and operatic author. A fine display of fireworks in the evening, 

and numerous banquets to visitors, closed a day often referred to for the magnitude and 

completeness of its arrangements. 

THE EASTON JAEGERS. 

In the spirited celebration of the 8th of January, 1859, a new company, the Easton 
Jaegers, Captain Charles Glanz, composed mostly of Germans, attratled much attention 
by their novel uniform and soldierly appearance. The following is the roll of officers and 
members as near as could be obtained : 



Captain — Charles Glanz. 
First Lieutenant — Peter Kuebler. 
Second Lieutenant — Fred Cokomiller. 
Tliird Lieutenant — Robert Grcefe. 
QuaHerniaster — Willibald Kuebler. 
Orderly — Franz Mildenberger. 



Joseph Long, 
John Maurer, 
Jacob Schwartz, 
William Dennig, 
George Haefler, 
Franz Reis, 
Joseph Reis, 
Anton Gehr, 
Joseph Oegsler, 
Jacob Beck, 
John Stattler, 



PRIVATES. 



First Sergeant — Michael Teichman. 
Second Sergeant — Martin Goth. 
First Corporal — John Cony. 
Second Corporal — Franz Pfeffer. 
Third Cotporal — Fabian Schuh. 
Fourth Corporal — William Siebert. 



John Kern, 

Oegsler, 

Basilius Flack, 
Charles Franklin, 
Christopher Kemmerer, 
John Picht, 
William Schultz, 
Theodore Roth, 
George Waller, 
Fred. Schwartz, 
Christian Strele, 



Joseph Flad, 
John Gisler, 
Leopold Beyer, 
Wm. Hildebrandt, 
J. Bynder, 
A. Hersch, 
O. Glanz, 
A. Lieberman, 
Rudolph Rapp, 
Louis Rapp, 
J. Wettlaufer. 



2i8 THE HISTORY OF 

Early in 1859 efforts were made to organize a Cavalry Company. After several 
meetings and a canvass of citizens had resulted in little encouragement, an Infantry 
Company was substituted, and the new organization was known as " The National Grays," 
and commanded by the following officers : 

Captain — J. P. Chambers. 

First Lieutenant — John Smylie, Jr. 

Second Lieutenant — Clarence H. Michler. 

Third Lieutenant — Theophilus F. Rodenbough. 

Ensign — ^John Stonebach. 

In its brief existence it attained prominence for efficiency of drill and discipline and 
the neatness of its uniforms. From its ranks came men whose names appear with high 
honor in the great war history of the nation. This was true in a remarkable degree of all 
the military companies of the borough. Old citizens remember with pride the appearance 
in the ranks in our street parades of many whose courage and soldierly skill gave them 
high position in the stern struggle of later years. 

The eighth day of January, i860, fell upon Sunday, but the ninth had hardly dawned, 
before Napoleon, familiarly known as "Poly" Patier, on Mount Jefferson, with the roar 
of cannon, reminded the citizens of what was due to the niemon,' of General Jackson. The 
militar)' companies, led by the time-honored band, paraded through the streets, and the 
day was given generally by the people to patriotic memories. 

FUNERALS OF SOLDIERS OF 1812. 
Details from the four volunteer companies of the borough on the 14th of April, 
i860, attended the funeral of George Reichardt, an old soldier of the War of 181 2. 
During the war he belonged to Captain Nungesser's company, 2nd Regiment, P. V., 
which left Easton in September, 1814, and proceeded to Marcus Hook. The old soldier 
was in his eighty-fourth year, and was buried with military honors. A number of his 
comrades of 181 2, and many other citizens were in the procession. John Lndwig, a 
member of the same company was buried a few weeks later with like honors. 

REMINDER OF MILITIA DAYS. 
What was intended to be a grand military parade on Thursday, May 24, i860, had, 
from the reports of the newspapers of the day, many of the features of the old militia 
trainings. All of the companies of the county took part, including the following from 
Easton : 

Citizens Artillery — Captain Jacob Dachrodt. 

National Guards — Lieutenant Ferd. W. Bell, Commanding. 

National Grays — Captain Charles A. Heckman. 

Easton Jaegers — Captain Charles Glanz. 

The streets were filled early in the day with people from the country, and the county 

companies paraded at random to the continuous rattle of the drums. 

About one o'clock all the companies fell in line and marched to a field in the rear of 
the F'air Grounds, where it was intended to have a thorough drill. This was only par- 
tially successful. The field suffered, as have many more serious fields, from an excess of 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 219 

commanders. Three hours were consumed in wheeling, marching and in evolutions hope- 
lessly involved but for the management of some of the company commanders. This 
was the last general turnout in the borough of cavalry and infantry companies of the 
county, and the closest approach for years to the old-fashioned militia field-days. 

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 1861, PARADES. 

January 8, 1861, was the occasion of a great display of patriotism in Easton. The 
National Guards, Citizens Artillery and Easton Jaegers paraded with full ranks during 
the afternoon, while at intervals "Poly" Patier, with his six-pounder on Mount Jefferson, 
reminded the citizens who thronged the streets, how British ranks fell before the Ken- 
tucky rifles at New Orleans, and how the hero of that day, had in 1832, pledged his oath 
to hang the man who would attempt to dissolve the Union as high as Haman. 

Washington's Birthday anniversary, the 22d of February, 1861, was more widely 
celebrated than it had been for years. The clouds of disunion, gathering for some time, had 
become ominously black in the southern sky and gave every evidence of being about to 
burst in armed treason. This gave great significance to the celebrations in honor of the 
Father of his Country, and of that stern old patriot who had sworn by the Eternal that 
the Union must be preserved. 

GREAT UNION DEMONSTRATION. 

Day by day this feeling grew among Eastonians. Every treasonable threat was duly 
canvassed, and increased the determination to uphold the republic at every hazard. The 
mechanics and workingmen, the bone and sinew of every community, discussed the 
threatening news early and late, at their homes, in their shops and at the meetings of 
their societies. On Monday evening, February 18, 1861, they crowded the old Court 
House in the Square in pursuance of a call for a meeting to give expression to Union 
sentiment. John J. Otto presided, with vice presidents : Lehigh Ward, Max Gress, 
William Keller; Bushkill Ward, Charles H. Yard, Henry J. Young; West Ward, Thos. 
Daily, Aaron Frey ; South Eastou, H. Wilhelm, D. Sandt ; Phillipsburg, J. S. Bach, 
James Price ; and secretaries, H. S. Wagner, G. W. Reichard, T. T. Hamman, A. Seip. 

After some spirited remarks by the President and Charles E. Buck, Esq., Isaac 
Pixley, an old Mexican War veteran, was called upon and amid rapturous applause 
appealed to the laboring men to stand by the stars and stripes. Mr. Horn followed, de- 
nouncing concessions to traitors. 

A long series of resolutions, intensely loyal in tone, were reported by a committee 
appointed for the purpose and adopted by an overwhelming majority. We reproduce 
three of them : 

Resolved, That we, the mechanics and workingmen of Easton and vicinity, without 
distin(?tion of party, in mass meeting assembled, do hold that the elecftion of Abraham 
Lincoln or any other man, to the office of President in a legal and constitutional manner, 
is not a fit or just cause for the dismemberment of this great and might}- republic. 

Resolved, That we believe that the rights of our Southern brethren are to be main- 
tained in the Union, and that we are willing to make any concessions to secure to them 
their constitutional rights in the Union, and we pledge to them our hearty co-operation 
in maintaining them, let them be assailed from whatever source they may. 



220 THE HISTORY OF 

Resolved^ That we cannot consent to a dissolntiou of the States npon any terms or 
any manner whatever. That we cannot recognize secession as anything bnt revolution 
and treason — a means employed by traitors to destroy the inestimable blessings of liberty, 
which were bought by the blood of our forefathers and which are as dear to us as our own 
lives. That we are opposed to making any concessions to those who are laboring to sever 
the bonds of our Union, by acfts of secession, that would array brother against brother in 
hostile combat, that would trample in the dust the stars and stripes, the only true emblem 
of our national liberty and greatness, the pride of every true American, which has floated 
so long over our beloved country, and which has been acknowledged and honored by 
every nation and in every commercial port throughout the civilized world. 

Addresses followed by John N. Burling, Wilson H. Hildebrandt, Henry S. vSeip, 
William N. Drake, Peter Walter and George Finle}', pointed and patriotic, and pledging 
the laboring men to the maintenance of the Union and the enforcement of the laws, after 
which the meeting adjourned with nine rousing cheers for " The Union." 

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY OF 1861. 
Many of these workingmen carried their patriotic zeal into the military parade of 
four days later, the anniversary of Washington's Birthday, of which the celebration was 
more general in Easton than it had been for many years. ' Poly ' Patier, with his cannon 
on Mount Jefferson, ushered in a day whose sun was clear as that of Austerlitz, and to 
many as prophetic. During the forenoon a company of men and boys in fantastic dress 
attracted great attention on all the principal streets, by their suggestive costumes. Almost 
all the leading chara6lers of the day were personified. The drummer bore a label on 
which was written, " Fort Sumter cannot be taken." In the ranks a person with a rope 
about his neck, represented Governor Pickens, of South Carolina. Other prominent 
persons and incidents were humorously portrayed. The company was followed by large 
crowds who jeered and cheered them as their varying fancies prompted. 

SHAM BATTLE. 

The great attraction of the day, however, was a sham battle between the volunteer 
companies, which commenced on Northampton street and closed upon Mount Jefferson. 
It was participated in by the Saucon company of Northampton Artillerists, Captain Thos. 
W. Lynn, the Easton Jaegers, Captain Charles Glanz, the National Guard, Captain Fer- 
dinand W. Bell, and the Citizen's Artillerists, Captain Jacob Dachrodt. Their move- 
ments, as reported in the borough papers, are in strange contrast with the serious work of 
war begun scarcely two months later. 

After a skirmish on Northampton street, about four o'clock in the afternoon, all the 
companies moved toward Mount Jefferson, through large crowds of people gathered to 
witness the scene. The Northampton Artillerists and the Jaegers were stationed on the 
hill, protecting a mound crowned with the American flag. The attack was made b\- the 
National Guards ascending the hill on the east and the Citizens' Artillerists from the 
west. The movements were made with skill and rapidity amid continuous firing. Some 
of the combatants became so excited that quite a number of flesh wounds were given, 
but none of a serious nature. The summit was finally taken and the flag carried off in 
triumph. It was a day of rare sport to the lookers-on, and of good pradlice for the vol- 



E ASTON, PEXN'A. 221 

nnteers, in the real warfare in which many of them were so soon to engage. A union 
meeting was held in the evening, after a banquet at Hulsizer's hotel, near the Delaware 
bridge. Earnest speeches were made, and with cheers for the Union, was closed one of 
the most spirited celebrations of the day ever had in Easton. 

WAR INEVITABLE. 
The fires of patriotism were fiercely fanned throughout the loyal North during the 
month of March. Rumors from day to day that Fort Sumter, closely invested by earth 
works of the Secessionists, and short of provisions, would be evacuated, aroused strong 
indignation among the citizens of Easton, who felt that the military spirit had been fos- 
tered to little purpose if the property of the nation could be thus tamely surrendered. 
Those days of suspense to the nation and the citizens, when war was looked squarely in 
the face and its cost of national and personal sacrifice counted, brought increased deter- 
mination on the part of those who were to become our citizen-soldiery, and were ended 
on that ill-omened Friday, the twelfth day of April, 1861, when-the telegraph announced 
that the venerable Edmund Ruffin, of Virginia, had inaugurated the great rebellion by 
firing the first gun upon Fort Sumter. 




easton scenery — "mol'nt jefferson," viewed from the north, 
[from a photograph by ROCKFELLOW.] 



THE WAR OF THE REBELLION 




HE loudest call to arms the nation had yet heard, followed the cannonade 
upon Fort Sumter. As in the wars of the Revolution, 1812, and with 
Mexico, the citizens of Easton were foremost in patriotic response. 

At the first news of the firing upon the stars and stripes, in the early 
morning of the twelfth day of April, 1861, a call was circulated for a pub- 
lic meeting on the evening of the next day, Saturday, April 13, 1861, to 
raise men and money for the defense of the Republic. 

Notwithstanding the short notice and the falling of heavy rain at the 
time named for the meeting, the old Court House in the Square was filled 
to its utmost capacity, and anxious crowds swarmed like bees at its doors 
and windows. Again, as in Colonial and Revolutionary days, it resounded 
with patriotic appeals to arms. Lists were opened, money subscribed, and volunteers 
raised ready for the march, before the call of the President, issued on the following Mon- 
day, was published. 

That packed atidience, of but one purpose, was the first of the many immense war 
meetings held in Easton during the Rebellion. At it and the adjourned Monday night 
meeting, were enrolled a large portion of the first regiment of volunteers sent by Pennsylva- 
nia in response to the Presidential call for three months men. From the borough news- 
papers of the day we make the following extradls : 

GRE.'^.T SATURDAY NIGHT WAR MEETING ON SUMTER'S BOMBARDMENT. 

The meeting was called to order by Hon. H. D. Maxwell, who moved the selection 
of Hon. Samuel Yohe as Chairman. 

The latter gentleman, in his usual earnest manner, took the chair, assisted b\- James 
McKeen and Captain John Stouebach as Vice Presidents and Thomas T. Miller and W. 
H. Thompson, as Secretaries. 

The following resolutions were moved in a patriotic and stirring speech by Judge 
Maxwell, and adopted by acclamation. 

Whereas, Men, certainly misguided, if not wicked, have inaugurated civil war, and are openly in arms 
against the institutions, the integrity, and the existence of the Republic of these United States ; the Govern- 
ment which has ever been our pride aud boast, and under whose fostering and protecfling influences we have 
enjoyed greater privileges, greater comforts and greater blessings than have ever been permitted to any people 
or any nation before ; and — 

Whereas, We, with united hearts and united purposes, while deploring the acts of rebellious men, are re- 
solved to maintain, sustain, protetl and preserve the excellent Government secured for us by the toil, suffering 
and blood of our patriot fathers ; and created by the wisdom aud intelligence of the venerable statesmen, who 
planned and formed our matchless Constitution. 

Resolz'ed, That as our first a<5t we implore Him, who rules the universe and governs men, to aid and sustain 
us in this, the time of our national calamity, asking Him that He will, in His mercy, avert the continuance of 
the hostilities which have been commenced, and will protecl and preserve this Republic, whose existence He has 
so remarkably favored and prospered, and upon whose people He has showered so many benefits and blessings. 

Resoli't'd, That we denounce the rebellion which has led to these attacks upon the forces of the Republic, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 223 

the property of the Republic aud the flag of the Republic of these Uuited States, as wicked and traitorous, aud 
call upon its citizens to rally in mass to uphold and sustain our Government in opposing and quelliug it. 

Resolved, That we, a portion of the people of Pennsylvania, here pledge ourselves to stand by the consti- 
tution and the Government of these United States, and resist to the very last every attack made upon them ; 
and now proffer our aid in every way in which we can be of benefit to the service, to preserve this Republic in 
its existence and integrity, against any aud every force that may be arrayed against it. 

Resolved, That lists be now opened for volunteers, who will march whenever and wherever called upon by 
the proper authorities of the State or Nation, to defend the institutions we cherish, the Republic we love, and 
thereby protect the homes we revere. 

Resolved. That a subscription be now opened for the purpose of raising and securing the necessary means 
and funds to defray the expenses of equipping and maintaining the volunteer force so proffered. 

Resolved, That the funds so raised be paid to a Treasurer, to be now appointed by this meeting, as shall 
be ordered by a committee of seven, to be also now sele(fted, which committee is further authorized to take all 
proper measures to carry out the views and objecifs of this meeting. 

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be reported by telegraph to the President of the United 
States, and to the Governor of this Commonwealth. 

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in all the newspapers of the borough. 

Committees to receive the names of volunteers were appointed as follows : 

Bitshkill Ward — William H. Armstrong, Peter Baldy. 

Lehigh Ward — John Stonebach, George W. Reichard. 

West H^ard — John J. Horn, Charles P. Emmons. 

South Easton — Emanuel R. Shelling, Thomas McKeen, Jr. 

Daniel Whitesell was named to receive names of volunteers from the country outside 
of the borough. 

The meeting was loud in applause of earnest speeches made by Judge Maxwell, Sam- 
uel L. Cooley, Peter Baldy, Silas C. Cook, Charles Goepp and William H. Armstrong, 
Esquires. 

Lists were opened for volunteers and the names of over one hundred persons obtained. 
Subscriptions of several thousand dollars were received towards a fund for payment of 
their equipment and other expenses by the following finance committee appointed by the 
chair : Alexander Wilson, McEvers Forman, Thomas T. Miller, Daniel H. Shnyder, Henry 
S. Seip, Derrick Hulick and William H. Thompson. 

Telegrams received previous to the meeting, of the brave stand of General Anderson 
at Fort Sumter, and his forced surrender, intensified the excitement. Never had the old 
Court House, in the more than a century of its existence, seen such a crowded and earnest 
assemblage of citizens. The cannonading at Sumter found prompt echoes, in shouts of 
determination to uphold the Union at all hazards. Grave men who took part in the 
business of the meeting within its bar, and excited men and boys who crowded its doors 
and windows, and filled all approaches to the building, vied with each other in earnest 
effort, and proved their devotion by later duty in the field. 

Those war meetings were a fitting finale to the proud record of that neat old cruciform 
structure. It had, in its early history, witnessed gatherings of the old Continentals to 
march to a war which resulted in emancipation from British tyranny. The close of that 
history was to see worthy sons of those worthy sires march to a war, which, waged to pre- 
serve our integrity as a nation, left us free in fact as in name. 

At a late hour that Saturday night the crowds dispersed from the meeting to gather 
in groups on the street corners during the Sunday and Monday following, for discussion 



224 



THE HISTORY OF 



of the speediest means the nation could take to resent the outrage and reclaim her fort, 
and punish its assailants. At their homes, and in the churches, the condition of the coun- 
try was canvassed and prayed for. The fires of patriotism, here as elsewhere, were fed 
from home altars. The ladies of Easton were also prompt in patriotic duty. The large 
attendance at the adjourned meeting on Monday night was due in no small measure to 
their home appeals. 

THE ADJOURNED MEETING. 

In spite of inclement weather the old Court House was crowded at the adjourned 
meeting, and again its windows, doors and sidewalks were thronged with earnest citizens. 
The expected proclamation of President Lincoln had been issued that day. Its mild but 
determined appeals did not fall unheeded. They were eloquently dwelt upon by Rev. 
James Y. Mitchell, of Phillipsburg, and Hon. H. D. Maxwell and others. Reports of com- 
mittees announcing that two hundred volunteers were ready, in addition to the three 
military companies of the borough — then filling up their ranks — and that large subscrip- 
tions had been received, and that the same had been duly reported to the President, were 
heard with cheers that made the old Court House resound with their echoes. 

The following resolution was unanimously adopted : 

Resolved, That Henry D. Maxwell be a committee to proceed forthwith to Harris- 
burg and present to his Excellency, the Governor of Pennsylvania, the proceedings of the 
meeting held here on Saturday evening last, with the further a(ftion of and reports made 
to this meeting to-night, and ascertain what further will be required, and also procure all 
necessary information as to what will be desired from us here. 

Amid repeated cheering the meeting then adjourned to meet on the following Wed- 
nesday evening when a report from the messenger sent to the Governor could be expe<?ted. 

GROWING PATRIOTISM. 

Many evidences of the increasing patriotism were now apparent. Flags appeared on 
the buildings and in the windows of business stands of the more enthusiastic citizens. In 
neat designs, too, the stars and stripes were worn upon the persons of many, notably the 
ladies, ever ready to foster the sentiment of any good and patriotic work. Sumter had 
hardly fallen before the Franklin Literary Association, a local club, placed a flag on Rader's 
building at the north-west corner of the public square, amid plaudits of hundreds of men, 
women and children hastily assembled. The appearance of a procession on South Third 
street with martial music and bearing aloft three large national flags, added to the num- 
bers and excitement upon the streets. As they neared the Square it was found to be 
largely composed of young ladies from the cotton mill of South Easton, who had prepared 
the flags for the companies going to the front. They were greeted with rounds of cheers 
from the thronged sidewalks and the masses in the Square. Many a young man at sight of 
the banners so proudly borne by the ladies, resolved to bear arms in their defense. 

DEPARTURE OF THE THREE MONTHS MEN. 

Meanwhile the lists in the hands of the committees had been rapidly filling with names 
of volunteers. One hundred and eighty men formed in ranks in the north-west corner of 
the Public Square on Thursday morning, April i8, in two companies, to take train for 
Harrisburg. The Square and its approaches were crowded with people of all cla.sses — 



EASTOX, PENN'A. 



225 




old and voiing, male and female. Fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers assembled to bid 
farewell. Thousands of eyes glistened in patriotic pride as the ranks of able bodied and 

valorous men, under the lead of Judge Samuel Yohe, 
soon to be their Colonel, and of William H. Arm- 
strong and Charles A. Heckman, to be Captains of the 
respective companies, to the music of Pomp's Cornet 
Band, marched to the Lehigh Valley Railroad depot. 
On their way they halted at the residence of Hon. 
Andrew H. Reeder, on South Third street, near the 
Square, where they received two elegant silk flags, 
the gift of the ladies of Easton. After a fervent prayer 
bv Rev. Job Halsey, Governor Reeder on behalf of the 
ladies, who thronged the windows and the steps of 
his residence from which he spoke, presented the flags 
in neat and appropriate words, to which Captains Arm- 
strong and Heckman gave brief and patriotic respon- 
ses. Thousands lined the streets on their further 
march to the depot and witnessed their departure on 
the train for Harrisburg where they were to be armed 
and equipped. These companies were known subse- 
quently as companies C and D of the First Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers. On ll'i .s 1 11 ' 1 if'l>)\\iii^, April 
20, the firing of a 
cannon on Mount Jefferson, told, as by arrangement, 
of another assemblage of volunteers. Again the Square 
was crowded, and amid like scenes and ceremonies 
and presentations of flags, after prayer by Rev. Dr. 
John Gray and speeches by Silas C. Cook and Charles 
Wykoff", Esqs. , to martial music from Pomp's well- 
known band, and down the same street, thronged with 
multitudes of applauding citizens, marched one hun- 
dred and seventy sturdy men in two companies — the 
Easton National Guards, commanded by Captain 
Ferdinand W. Bell, and known later as Company H, 
and the Citizens Artillery, Captain Jacob Dachrodt, 
knowm later as Company B, both of the First Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers — to the same depot to take train 
to Harrisburg for arms and equipment. 

At this time another company, the Easton 
Jaegers, Captain Charles Glanz, was rapidly filling its 
ranks. They left upon the Monday morning follow- fkrdinani. \v. bell, 

ing, April 22, bearing a flag also presented by the Capt.Co. H.First p. V. Capt. Co. B,5ist p. v. 
ladies, and escorted by Pomp's Band and a multitude * "' otograp 

of citizens. They entered the Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers under command of Captain 
Richard A. Graeffe, as Company G, of which regiment their late captain, Charles Glanz, 



Captain Co. C, ist P. V. 
(From Brady's Wai 



^Mhl .vU.NLi, 

Lt. Col. I29tll P. V. 
Photographs.) 




/^ 



226 



THE HISTORY OF 



became Major. The ready and full response of volunteers from Easton gave them position 
among the first troops formed into regimental organization. The first four companies 
were mustered into sei"vice April 20, 1861, eight days after fire was opened upon Fort Sum- 
ter. The Jaegers were mustered of date April 24, 1861. 

FIRST REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS. 

The chairman of the famous Saturday night meeting, Judge Samuel Yohe, was made 
Colonel of the First Pennsylvania Regiment. Jacob R. Ludlow and William H. H. Mich- 
ler, physicians of Easton, became respectively its Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon. 

We regret that we have not the names of all who volunteered. Their numbers were 
largely in excess of the allowance of the mustering orders. Some, too, were excluded by 
age and physical disability. All were alike patriotic and should appear upon our printed 
lists. The best we can do is to give their names as they are found upon the muster-roll. 

Equally worthy of record are the names of the patriotic citizens who accompanied the 
volunteers to Harrisburg and provided their meals. The chairman of the financial com- 
mittee, Alexander Wilson, Esq., was acftive in discharge of duty and fully alive to the 
interests of the men. 

The regiment left Harrisburg on the night of its muster and proceeded to Cockeys- 
ville, via the Northern Central railway, where it was held under orders from Washington. 
Its regimental history will be again referred to. 

The names of the Easton Volunteers are taken from the muster-rolls as given in Bates' 
History of Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

COMPANY B. 
(Recruited at Easton. Mustered in April 20, 1861.) 



Captain — Jacob Dachrodt. 
First Lieutenant — Godfrey Mutchler. 
Second Lieutenant — Charles Eichman. 
First Sergeant — James F. Meyers. 
Second Sergeant — Jacob F. Rafferty. 
Third Sergeant —Andrew Burt. 



Fourth Sergeant — Samuel H. Barnes. 

First Corporal — Edward Cook. 

Second Corporal — Max Wik. 

Third Corporal — G. William Barron. 

Fourth Corporal — John H. Bruch. 

Musicians — Samuel Bruch, William H. Giniierd. 

PRIVATES. 



John A. Bixler, 
Solomon Bigley, 
John Benner, 
John W. Bittenbender, 
Jacob Bassett, 
Gideon A. Barnes, 
Edwin D. Bleckley, 
Lawrence Bitzer, 
P. M. Church, 
John A. Dachrodt, 
Paul Darmer, 
Jacob N. Dittler, 
Williatn D Davis, 
John Everetts, 
William Eichman, 
Richard Frounfelter, 
Leonard Frankenfield, 
Levi Frounfelter, 
James G. Fargo, 
Joseph A. Ginnerd, 
Abraham Gardner, 



Andrew I. Hay, 
John Q. Hay, 
Daniel E. Hiueline, 
Herman Hill, 
John Hetzell, 
Frederick W. Huble, 
George H. Hahn, 
William Hartzell, 
Charles Imick, 
W. H. Kromer, 
Lewis F. Kromer, 
Edgar Keinmerer, 
John S. Lerch, 
Joseph Levers, 
F. Lynn. 
James P. Moser, 
William H. Moritz, 
Peter S. Michler, 
Joseph S. Myers, 
John Purser, 
Andrew Rodgers, 



Franklin Rinker, 
Jacob Rinek, 
John W. Ricker, 
Charles P. Shetter, 
Maximilian Smith, 
Charles Schortz, 
Frederick Schweb, 
Samuel Schaffer, 
Amandes Schook, 
Jos. W. SaviU, 
J. Lewis Singer, 
Wm. Smith, 
Wm. Schmitzer, 
Edward O. Smith, 
Reuben Schlabach, 
Valentine Smith, 
Wm. F. Snyder, 
William Steer, 
William A. Templin, 
William T. Troxell, 
Wm. I. Ziegenfuss, 



E ASTON, PENN' A , 



227 



(Recruited ; 
Captain — William H. Armstrong. 
First Liciitoiiuit — Robert Ramsdeu. 
Second Lii'iiti-naiif — Charles H. Yard. 
First Sergeant — Lawreuce Bonstein. 
Second Sergeant — \Vm. H. Weaver. 
Third Sergeant — Samuel Stewart. 



George W. Arndt, 
Charles Arnold, 
Charles Raruet, 
John Broadback, 
Richard N. Bitters, 
Jonathan Bull, 
John P. Billings, 
Geo. Colbath, 
Daniel J. Care\', 
John Callahan, 
William Colbath, 
George E. Cyphers, 
John Cook, 
George A. Diehl, 
Samuel W. Drew, 
George H. Freyhart, 
Stephen Gross, 
John S. Green, 
Owen Garis, 
Edwin Gephart, 
David Heath, 
Alvin Hufford, 



COMPANY C. ' 

ston. Mustered in April 20, 1861.) 

Fourth Sergeant — Urbanus Weirbach. 

First Corporal — William B. Mettler. 

Second Corporal — Emanuel R. Shelling. 

Third Corporal — Edward Wortley. 

Fourth Corporal — Daniel Laubach. 

Musicians — Wm A. Heckman, Joseph Young 
PRIYATES. 



Henry Huber, 
James Ihrie, 
Martin Kichline, 
Martin V. B. Knauss, 
Thomas Kilkerry, 
William H. Kline, 
Charles H. Leshoer, 
John Lynd, 
Lawrence Moser, 
Isaac M. Myers, 
Henry Mover, 
Benjamin F. Mover, 
Philip L. Moser, 
F'rancis Mowry, 
John Murray, 
Bernard Merwarth, 
Henry Miller, 
Samuel Paxson, 
William Pharo, 
Jacob Rustay, 
Joseph Rougay, 



George W. Sigman, 
John G. Snyder, 
Wm. H. Stultz, 
Peter .Smith, 
Perry Simons, 
Chas. Schlegel, 
Richard Shelling, 
Augustus Shelling, 
Isaac Stiles, 
Daniel Troxell, 
James P. Tilton, 
James Yan Campen, 
Joseph Yogel, 
Owen J. Weida, 
John D. Weller, 
Augustus Weiss, 
Wm. Wyker, 
Josiah Weber, 
George W. Wagener, 
William Wolfram, 
John Wolfram. 



COMPANY D. 



(Recruited at Eastou. Mustered in .\pril 20, 1S61.) 

Captain — Charles A. Heckman. 
First Lieuleriant — James F. Thompson. 
Second Lieutenant — William H. Able. 
First Sergeant — Joseph (I)liver. 
Second Sergeant — Henry Arndt. 
Third Sergeant — William A. Bachman. 

PRIVATES 



Fourth Sergeant — Calvin Pardee. 
First Corporal — Edward S. Carroll. 
Second Corporal — Flavius G. Arrowsmith. 
Third Corporal — Augustus Stewart. 
Fourth Corporal — Benjamin J. Hillman. 
Musician — Ervvin Hartzell. 



Samuel Adams, 
Amandus Attel, 
Jabez Alsover, 
John Andrews, 
John W. Bowman, 
William Blane, 
Joseph Bowers, 
Thomas Boyd, 
James I. Brodie, 
Jeremiah Cooper, 
Isaac C. Clymer, 
George E. Diehl, 
Matthew Delaney, 
Samuel I. Emmons, 
Edward Finster, 
Alfred Finster, 
James Ferguson, 
James G. Gallaghan, 
Edward B. Gallaghan, 
John J. Gangwer, 
Samuel I. Heintzelman, 



Frank A. Hubbell, 
David W. Huber, 
Ale.xander W. Hoyt, 
Jacob A. Hawk, 
James E. Hulsizer, 
Christian Hammer, 
Silas Hulsizer, 
Wilson I. Hagernian, 
William C. Hixson, 
Luther Horn, 
Henry Innes, 
Joseph Ihrie, 
David E. Kichline, 
Adam H. Lane, 
John I. Levers, 
Chas. P. Levers, 
James B. Meldrum, 
Frederick C. Mattes, 
Charles Meyer, 
Patrick M'Donald, 
Lewis Morrell, 



George M. Oberly, 
William H. Pace, 
Robert R. Phillips, 
Abraham A. Raub, 
Robert Reese, 
Philip Richard, 
Thomas P. Ricketts, 
George Reese, 
William A. Smith, 
John P. B. Sloan, 
William H. Seip, 
Edward A. Shouse, 
George H. Shaffer, 
Albert N. Seip, 
Albert Steele, 
Thomas Snyder, 
James Simons, 
Theodore Troxell, 
David E. Troxell, 
Thomas Wagner, 
Abraham K. Young. 



228 



THE HISTORY OF 



COMPANY H. 

(Recruited at Easton. Mustered in April 21, 1861.) 



Caplain — Ferdinand VV. Bell. 
First Lieutenant — Jacob G. Barnet. 
Second Lieutenant — George L. Fried. 
First Sergeant — John V. Fried. 
Second Sergeant — James McGloin. 
Third Sergeant — Robert Burrell. 

Charles Arnold, 
John H. Buck, 
Samuel Buckley, 
Benjamin Beatty, 
Silas Beers, 
James Barnet, 
John S. Barnet, 
James P. Buck, 
George Buller, 
Edward Bender, 
James Bryson, 
George Burrell, 
John Bryson, 
John Bittner, 
Edward BuIIman, 
James Ballantine, 
John L. Clifton, 
Henry A. Daley, 
Benjamin Dew, 
John Dingier, 
Charles Elliott, 
Samuel Fraunfelder, 



PRIVATES. 
Jacob Freyberger, 
George Frey, 
Frank Ginkinger, 
Charles A. Gosner, 
John B. Haines, 
George Hutman, 
David Hutman, 
Joseph Harmony, 
James M. Hoyt, 
Charles W. Kinsey, 
Peter King, 
Charles A. Levan, 
Samuel Moore, 
John Moore, 
John W. Meeker, 
Alexander Moser, 
William S. Mellick, 
Joseph M'Laughlin, 
John S. Miller, 
Ervin Miller, 
Samuel Neigh, 



Fourth Sergeant — Augustus Heller. 
First Corporal — Robert Ballantine. 
Second Corporal — William Osterstock. 
Third Corporal — Daniel Phillippe. 
Fourth Corporal — William Diehl. 



George Nicholas, 
Daniel Nicholas, 
Henry Pittenger, 
Solon Phillippe, 
John Randolph, 
William L. Snyder. 
Richard Seip, 
Frank Snyder, 
Samuel Sandt, 
George Sunderland, 
Edw. Seals, 
Samuel Transue, 
William H. Unangst, 
Richard Williams, 
William Wilking, 
John C. West, 
Adam Ward, 
Thomas Weaver, 
Reuben Weiss, 
John B. Wilson, 
Charles Wykoff. 



COMPANY G. 



(Recruited at Easton 
Captain — Richard A. Graeffe. 
First Lieutenant — Charles Goepp. 
Second Lieutenant — F"rank A. Hetrich. 
First Sergeant — Francis Mildenberger. 
Second Sergeant — ^John Cooneyer. 
Third Sergeant — Martin Goth. 

PRIVATES 



John Adier, 
Jacob Beck, 
George Biermann, 
Adolphus Dennig, 
Jacob Ecker, 
George Elhard, 
Frederick Epple, 
Martin Epple, 
Charles Franklin, 
Daniel Friedewald, 
Bernhard Froehler, 
Henry E. Froelich, 
Anthony Gehr, 
Henry Genther, 
Otto Glanz, 
John Haemmerlein, 
Christian G. Hernia 
Joseph Hetzler, 
Charles Huber, 
John Hunter, 
John Hutmacher, 
Charles Kaiser, 



Mustered in April 24, 1861.) 

Fourth Sergeant — Joseph Hoefler. 
First Corporal — Francis Pfeffer. , 
Second Corporal — Francis Ries. 
Third Corporal — George Wahler. 
Fourth Corporal— Otto Hersh. 
Musicians — Joseph Flad, William ' 



Godfrey Kaiser, 
William Kaltenbach, 
Gustavus Kemmerer, 
Ignace Kiefer, 
Henry Klette, 
John Kern, 
Andrew Klump, 
Maurice Laetius, 
Joseph Long, 
Anthony Lieberman, 
Henry Lingeman, 
Augustus Loeffelmann, 
David Loeffler, 
Godfrey Lutz, 
Frederick Meyer, 
John Meyer, 
Peter Messinger, 
Charles Miller, 
Dr. George Miller, 
Anthony Mock, 
Pius Moll, 
George Palmer, 



Hermann Pfisterer, 
John Pfleger, 
Augustus Ries, 
Conrad Ries, 
Joseph Ries, 
Frederick Roesler, 
Aaron Rogers, 
Rudolph Rapp, 
Frederick Roth, 
Julius Schaler, 
George Schrog, 
Jacob Schwartz, 
John H. Stein, 
David F. Strauss, 
Henry Sturm, 
Andrew Snomann, 
George Swaddell, 
Clement Weber, 
Charles Weidknecht, 
Lewis Wendenburg. 
Jacob Wettlaeufer, 
John White. 



E ASTON, PENX'A . 



229 



C^^r 




RHODE ISLAND MARINE ARTILLERY AND FLAG RAISING BY THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

The war fever in Easton was not a little increased by the arrival of a company of the 
Rhode Island IMariue Artillen,- on Saturday, April 20, 1861. They were quartered in the 
Fair Grounds by permission of its directors, and the one hundred and twenty-five men and 
ninety-seven horses, with six brass rifled twelve-pound cannon, all under command of 
Colonel Tomkins, as they marched up Northampton street, gave the already excited citi- 
zens new ideas of "the pomp and circumstance of glorious war." They had left in such 
haste that their blankets had not been duly made. This was done by the ladies of Easton 
during their brief stay, and a blanket made for each man from the material furnished by 
the company. 

This artillery company opened the interesting exercises of the Tuesday following, 
(April 23) on the part of the children of the Public Schools of Easton, by a salute from 
their field pieces on College Hill. All the schools, the board of direflors, the clergy of 
the borough, were assembled on the green before the High School building, while the 
street in its front was crowded with citizens. At the artillery salute four bright flags of 

stars and stripes were run up to the music of the 
"Star Spangled Banner" played by Pomp's Cornet 
Band. An appropriate prayer by Rev. Cornelius 
H. Edgar followed, and then the " Star Spangled 
Banner' ' was sung by the children. After a brief 
address by B. F. Stem, Esq., one of the teachers 
of the High School, " America" was sung by the 
children. The children, directors, clergy and 
citizens then proceeded to the West Ward school building where like ceremonies were 
observed and two flags raised. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Eckert and Rev. John Beck 
made appropriate remarks. Dr. Traill Green, President of the Board of Directors, and 
Edward F. Stewart, Esq., one of its members, also made pertinent speeches. The cere- 
monies were of the most orderly charader, and long will the day be remembered by the 
school children for its lessons of lo}-alt}- to the stars and stripes. 

The incidents of that memorable April in Easton cannot, we regret, be fully given. 
In the twenty-five years since numbered, many matters well worthy of note have passed 
from recolleclion. At times business was almost suspended. Individual volunteering 
continued at a rapid rate and many of our best volunteers gave credit to organizations not 
local. The following minutes from the borough press will show that the war feeling was 
strongly on the increase in the early part of the May following. 

VOLUNTEERING IN MAY, 1861. 

On Saturday, Ma>- 4, 1861, the Commissioners of the County of Northampton hon- 
ored the old Court House, in which so many patriotic meetings had been held, by placing 
above it the national flag. Captain Peter Baldy's company of volunteers sang patriotic 
songs as it unfolded to the breeze, and Matthew Hale Jones and Edward J. Fox, Esquires, 
made appropriate speeches to the large audience gathered in the Square. By the same 
authority a flag was placed upon the new Court House in the western part of the borough. 

WAR ALARM IX NEW JERSEY. 

On the same day, IMay 4, Captain Peter Bald\- marched his company, the sixth com- 



230 



THE HISTORY OF 





EASTON SCENERY — "DOWN THE DELAWARE," VIEWED FROM LEHIGH HILL. 

pany of volunteers raised in Easton, in response to a call of Major Charles Sitgreaves, 
Mayor of Phillipsbnrg. The Mayor stated that there were six persons in Feit's woods, 
near Phillipsburg, dressed like regulars of the United States Army, armed with guns, 
and supposed to be deserters. Captain Baldy with his command met the supposed desert- 
ers on the Delaware bridge, and escorted them to the armory of the National Guards. 
Brief inquiry soon revealed the fact, that so far from being deserters, they were Germans 
of two weeks' residence in the country, one of them an old soldier in Italy's war for lib- 
erty, and all trying to find their way to Washington to fight for the Union. Mr. Solomon 
Troutman, with others of our citizens, entertained them until Monday when they left for 
Harrisburg with Captain Baldy. 

EASTON VOLUNTEERS IN THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. 

The departure of the sixth company of Easton volunteers, on Monday, May 6, 1861, 
was made, although the weather was very unpleasant, in the presence of a large number 
of persons. It was the first company under the later call for three years men. It received 
a beautiful flag as a present from the citizens, while its captain, Peter Baldy, Esq., a for- 
mer District Attorney of the county, was presented with a sword, pistol and purse by mem- 
bers of the bar and others of the citizens. John J. Horn, one of its lieutenants, teacher of 
the Grammar School of West Ward, was presented with a beautiful revolver and an ele- 



E ASTON, PEN A' 'A. 



231 



gantly bound copy of the Bible, by the teachers of the Public Schools. Hon. Peter F. 
Eilenberger, a man open-handed and open-hearted in deeds of kindness to volunteers, pro- 
vided for them a fine dinner upon their arrival at Harrisburg. 

This company was mustered into service May 30, 1861, in the Twelfth Pennsylvania 
Reserves, (Forty-first of the line) as Company E ; its captain, Peter Bald}-, becoming 
Major of the regiment, and by promotion August 30, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel. Its mili- 
tarv historv will be again referred to.* 



COMPANY E, TWELFTH PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. 



Captain — John J. Horn. 

" Francis Schelling. 

First Lieutenant — Edward Kelley. 

J. C. Fackenthall. 
Second Lieutenant — William Lind. 
First Sergeatit — James Johnston. 
" Henry Hess. 

" William Ruch. 

" Reuben L. Miller. 

" William F. Keller. 

" Theodore F. Hance. 

William R. Kidd. 
" John Herp. 

Aaron E. Beisel, 
Max Bertrand, 
John H. Boran, 
Daniel Brounell, 
Robert G. Barnes, 
Leopold Beck, 
William H. Bodley, 
Joseph Barros, 
Jacob M. Buchter, 
John Barry, 
Joseph Bird, 
James Cummiskey, 
Ramsey Case, 
Charles Custard, 
Hoffman Connor, 
James Devine, 
William Dice, 
Daniel Eli, 
Josiah Ettleman, 
Landers Everett, 
Casper Echelstien, 
William Frederick, 
Adam Fisher, 
Paul H. Fischel, 
Jervis Gould, 
David H. Graham, 
William F. Handwork, 
John Haggerty, 
John H. Hummell, 
Matthew Haase, 
William Handwork, 
William Hardin, 



PRIVATES. 

William Ivey, 
Warren H. Joline, 
Sydney Kuehner, 
Josiah Kirkendall, 
Jeremiah Klein, 
Edward Kimble, 
John W. Leffel, 
Jacob Leidy, 
Edward Leidy, 
Jacob Moyer, 
Barney Maloy, 
Jacob Muffley, 
John May, 

Thomas McCormick, 
Amandus Miller, 
George A. Miller, 
John Nunnemacher, 
Robert Nolf, 
Fort W. Nicholas, 
Savilian Otto, 
Michael O'Brien, 
Isaac Peifer, 
James Pilkenton, 
Jesse Roseberry. 
George Retzler, 
Lewis Roth, 
William Raub, 
Calvin Reed, 
Paul Roth, 
Thomas Ruth, 
Charles F. Rothweiler, 
William H. Santee, 



Corporal — David Campbell. 

" Samuel Tolan. 

" James H. Coffin. 

" Daniel H. Laubach. 

" C. F. Oestricker. 

" Aaron Bosler. 

" George Derhammer. 

" William J. Kuehner. 

'* George Ketchledge. 

J. H. Missinger. 
Musician — John H. Wolf. 
Thomas Duffin. 



Lewis Stein, 
Stephen Sholes, 
Patrick Shine, 
Robert W. Surrill, 
Lewis H. Sassaman, 
Lewis Schenk, 
Philip Seagler, 
Joseph Snyder, 
Peter S. Snyder, 
Christian F. Smith, 
Urias Stahr, 
William Schooley, 
John P. Troxell, 
Benjamin Tallman, 
Benjamin Troxell, 
George Troxell, 
William Traugh, 
Samuel Traugh, 
Charles R. Teelin, 
James Taylor, 
Joseph Trexler, 
John Williams, 
Robert White, 
John Worman, 
John B. Wilson, 
William H. Weaver, 
Robert Warner, 
John Wought, 
George Walls, 
Albert Wise, 
John Younkins. 



* Note. — These troops were called "Reser\-es" because they were recruited by Governor Curtin with wise 
forethought for a day of need, inevitable in his mind, and held in reserve, when there was no Federal call for 
men from the State. The Bull Run disaster showed his wisdom, and the nation applauded his act when those 
well-drilled troops marched to the defense of Washington immediately upon that defeat. No finer body of men, 
no troops that saw harder service, were in the great army of the Republic. 



232 THE HISTORY OF 

FLAG RAISINGS. 

Flag raisings during May were frequent. Among the more prominent we note from 
the newspapers one at the United States Hotel, kept by Joseph Schortz, on North Third 
street, on Friday, May 17, 1861, at which speeches were made by B. F. Fackenthal, Esq., 
and Rev. Dr. D. V. McLean, and prayer offered by Rev. C. H. Edgar. Excellent music 
was furnished by the Jaeger Band and the Noll family. This flag was forty-two feet in 
length by twenty-eight feet in breadth, and it was taken as a good omen that it waved its 
ample folds southward amid the cheers of a large concourse of citizens. 

On the morning of the day following, the Hebrews of Easton, after a speech by Rev. C. 
H. Edgar, in which he drew historic parallels, and claimed that Jehovah had not then de- 
serted his chosen people and would not now desert his chosen nation, raised a beautiful 
flag on their Synagogue on South Sixth street. This was the first house of worship in 
Easton crowned with the stars and stripes. 

On the same day, with whizzing of rockets and roar of cannon, a large and beautiful 
flag was run to the top of a pole one hundred feet high at Reich's grocery store on the 
summit of the hill at Sixth and Northampton streets. Appropriate addresses were made 
to a large and attentive audience by O. H. Meyers, Esq., and others. Patriotic songs 
were sung by a band of young girls, and Pomp's Cornet Band played national airs. Inci- 
dents like these were now of almost daily occurrence and told the earnest and growing de- 
termination to suppress the rebellion. 

THE FAIR GROUND CHOSEN AS A STATE CAMP. 
The prompt and full response of volunteers from Easton had attra6led attention from 
all quarters of the State. This interest was increased by the visit on Tuesday afternoon. 
May 21, 1861, of Governor Andrew G. Curtin, the first-named of the famous War Gover- 
nors, and Major General George A. McCall, to the Fair Grounds on the west of the 
borough, with the view of selecting it, if suitable, as a site for one of the State camps. Its 
many advantages secured its selection, and before another week it was occupied by volun- 
teers. The Second regiment. Colonel Wm. B. Mann, Third, Colonel Horatio G. Sickels, 
and Fourth, Colonel R. S. March, of the Reserves, were here organized. Their daily drills 
drew large crowds of visitors, and many a man of the hard-fought Pennsjlvania Reser^'es in 
after service remembered the pleasures of this peaceful camp. By the sixth day of June, 
1861, over twenty-five companies, about two thousand men, were in the camp, now known 
as Camp Washington, under the command of Col. W'illiam B. Mann of Philadelphia, 
This number was largely added to at a later date. 

AID TO VOLUNTEERS IN THE FIELD. 
Meanwhile the committee appointed at the great Court House meeting to look after 
the comfort of the volunteers had been unremitting in attention. Reports reached them 
from time to time of lack of suitable clothing and of much suffering in consequence by the 
men now in service. The men of the First Pennsylvania, in the exigency of the service, 
had been forwarded ununiformed, many of their oflficers without swords, the buck and ball 
cartridges for their smooth-bore muskets rattling in the trouser pockets of the men, and 
their cotton haversacks filled with bacon and hard tack. Their clothing soon gave out in 
their rough campaigning without tents. New uniforms were received at their camp near 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 233 

Funkstown, Maryland. It was determined forthwith to relieve the need out of the funds 
already raised. On Monday, June 10, 1861, W. H. Thompson, Esq., purchased at Allen- 
town two hundred pairs of shoes, which were immediately forwarded to the camp, and on 
the same day Captain John E}erman purchased at Philadelphia six hundred yards of sati- 
net which was made into pantaloons. These supplies, with one hundred dollars in money, 
were promptly sent and proved of great benefit. 

.\ PATRIOTIC PRESIDENT OF A VIRGINIA COLLEGE. 

A flag raising at Lafayette College on the evening of Friday, June 14, 1861, had pecu- 
liar interest from the fatl of the presence of Rev. Dr. George Junkin, its first president, 
and lately the president of Washington College, Virginia. As the doctor pulled the hal- 
yard and the flag fluttered to the top of its one hundred feet pole and unfolded in all the 
beauty of the stars and stripes, he told how the students of Washington College had per- 
sisted in raising the rag of secession and how he had taken it down and burned it, and 
then when he found that the students were sustained by the rest of the Faculty, he had 
resigned the presidency and left Virginia. The students, with Pomp's Band, had escorted 
him from the town to the hill and were loud in their applause of his remarks and of those 
of their spokesmen, Mr. Davis and of Dr. Traill Green. The pole stood in front of the 
College building at the head of the steps, and its twenty by thirty feet flag was in full view 
of the town and a proud mark of an institution noted for its heavy contribution of volun- 
teers from its campus to the battlefield. 

PASSAGE OF TROOPS. 
Beside the different regiments now being organized and drilled at Camp Washington, 
Eastonians had their faith in the final suppression of the Rebellion confirmed by the thou- 
sands of well-equipped volunteers whirled by on the railroad trains on their way to the 
seat of war. On the 20th of June, Governor Sprague's noted regiment of over one thousand 
strong, with its full batter}- of eight-pounders, ambulances, baggage and powder wagons, 
on a train of eighty cars drawn by three locomotives, passed up the valley. They were 
followed on the succeeding Saturday by a New Hampshire regiment, twelve hundred 
strong, and a full regiment of Chasseurs from New York. 

FLAG PRESENTATIONS. 

On the evening of June 20, Thomas Coates, the direAor of Pomp's Cornet Band, 
whose widely known music had furnished inspiration to many a meeting in Easton, was 
honored by a flag-raising in front of his residence on South Fourth street. The band 
played its choicest music and the glee club sang its happiest songs, and excellent speeches 
assured the large crowd of citizens of the safety of the Union. 

Three regiments on the following Monday, June 24, were drawn up in front of the 
Institute building on the Fair Ground, and presented through Hon. H. D. Maxwell with 
an elegant flag. Col. W. B. Mann responded, and soldiers and citizens were enthusiastic 
in applause. A week later the Southwark Hose Company, one of the sturdiest of the old 
band of fire companies, for which Easton had long been famous, flung a large flag from the 
top of a pole considerably over one hundred feet high in front of its house on South Third 
street. Rev. John Grant, in happy humor, patriotism and eloquence, held the close at- 
tention of the large and enthusiastic crowd. 



234 



THE HISTORY OF 



easton's fourth of JULY, 1861. 
War's dread realities appear to have suppressed its mock counterfeits with whicli the 
Fourth of July had often been celebrated. It was a quiet, thoughtful Fourth, that of July, 
1861. Its celebration by the borough antiquarian, Benjamin M. Youells, was, as became 
the man, original, and, as became the day, suggestive. In the window of his barber .shop, 
widely known also as a curiosity shop, appeared, what claimed to be, a secession flag, on 

which was pinned the following note : 

" Camp Yoke, June 27, 1861. 
"B. M. Youells, Esy. Dear Sir : I hereby present you with this emblem of treason, captured in Fred- 
erick City, Md., June 26, 1861, by Sergeant Joseph Oliver, of Company D, First Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 

"°'^^«'^^- "C. A. Heckman, Captain Co. D, First Reg't." 

A relic doubtless of rebel occupation of the city, in the fair grounds of which the Eas- 
ton Volunteers were quartered on that first Fourth of July of the Rebellion. 

Still, the day was ushered in in accordance with the time-honored dire(?tion of John 
Adams, — the firing of cannon — by Napoleon Patier from Mt. Jefferson, the ringing of bells 
by patriotic church sextons, and later by flag raisings over several private residences, 
those of Herbert Thomas, Esq., Mrs. Seiple and others, and at 6 o'clock over the Third 
Street Reformed Church, at which, in presence of a large audience, prayer was offered by 
its pastor, Rev. John Beck, and an earnest, telling speech by Rev. Dr. D. V. McLean 
was followed by choice airs from Pomp's Cornet Band. 

THE M.\RCH OF THE RESERVES DOWN NORTHAMPTON STREET. 

When Col. March's regiment left Camp Washington on Tuesday, July 16, 1861, for 
Harrisburg, fully armed and equipped, their solid platoons reaching from curb to curb on 
Northampton street, firm tread and glistening bayonets, made the sight from the Square 
one of the most imposing of military spedlacles. These men had grown to be soldiers in 
our midst, and densely crowded sidewalks attested the deep interest of our citizens. Eas- 
ton, apart from her own large representation in the famous Reserves, with pride watched 
their progress from field to field of well-foitght fights, until it ended in final victory. 

Col. Sickle's regiment left on Monday, July 22, 1861, and Col. Mann's, the last regi- 
ment in the camp, on the Wednesday morning following. Like parades were had, and 
they left for adlive service through thronged sidewalks and cheered by thousands. The 
first great fight of Bull Run on Sunday, July 21, 1861, reported first as a vicftory and then 
as a defeat, had wrought the public feeling to the highest pitch of excitement. The now 
daily trains, freighted with troops and hurried with all the power of steam over our rail- 
roads, were greeted as they passed by from the full hearts of people who felt that the Re- 
bellion must be suppressed at any cost. When the full ranks of the last Reserve regiment 
left their camp and moved down Northampton street, a living stream of earnest men clad 
in their country's blue, our people massed on pavement and Square, drowned the music 
of the regimental bands in cheers for the cause and its heroes, all the more heartfelt and 
hearty on account of the reverses at Manassas. 

CAMPAIGN OF THE THREE MONTHS MEN. 

Easton was now awaiting anxiously the return of her first volunteers whose term of 
service had been prolonged by their volunteering to serve beyond the three months' time 



EASTOX, PEXX'A. 



235 



for which they had been called and mustered. Although in Patterson's campaign, blood- 
less through no fault of theirs, they had seen much exposure, hard service and heavy 
marching, since their arrival at Cockeysville on the night of their muster. They had 
been hurried into service without proper arms, uniforms or camp equipage. But with 
their old smooth-bores loaded with buck and ball, and haversacks filled with bacon and 
hard-tack, they were ready and anxious to march through Baltimore, had not undue defer- 
ence to the authorities of that city on the part of the powers at Washington ordered other- 
wise. "March through Baltimore !" said one of a committee of citizens of that city on 

his return from Cockeysville, 
"their old Colonel looks as if 
he would march through h — , 
if so ordered." 

The fortunes of the Sixth 
^Massachusetts, a few days pre- 
vious, were not to be theirs, 
and under orders from Gen. 
Winfield S. Scott, the retro- 
grade movement on the Mon- 
day following, was made to 
Camp Scott, near the town of 
York. Here their equipment 
was completed, and here they 
remained, in constant drill for 
field service until May 14, 
when they were detailed to 
guard the Northern Central 
railroad from the Pennsylva- 
nia line to Druid Park, near 
Baltimore. Details were made 
from time to time while at 
that point for the arrest of pro- 
minent persons charged with 
aiding the rebellion and for 
seizure of arms secreted for 
its use. Camp equipage was 
supplied Ma^• 25th, when the regiment marched through Baltimore and occupied an unfin- 
ished asylum near Catonsville. The tents were at hand, when ordered thence to Franklin- 
town, on Mav 29th. It did picket duty on the roads leading West from Baltimore and 
intercepted many recruits for the Rebel army at Harper's Ferry. On June 3d it joined the 
troops gathering at Chambersburg and was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Divi- 
sion, of the armv of General Robert Patterson, whose Adjutant General was Fitz John 
Porter. Company and field drill occupied its time closely here, in which the companies 
and regiment were making rapid strides toward proficiency, and a few days later it left 
for camp near Funkstown, where, through a false alarm, it had the surprise of a hurried 
midnight march to Williamsport on the Potomac. 




EASTON SCENERV- 



' WILLIAMS' DAM," ON THE BUSHKILL. 



It returned to Funkstown on the fol- 



236 THE HISTORY OF 

lowing day, and then for the first time was properly uniformed. Before this the men had 
suffered for the want of adequate clothing, although its need had been greatly relieved by 
the partial supply sent by kind friends at Easton. 

The regiment was ordered on June 21 to Frederick, and arrived there the day follow- 
ing and reported to Governor Hicks. A pleasant stay of about two weeks was made in the 
fair ground here, improved by daily drills, varied by a joyous Fourth of July, and made 
memorable by the kind attention of citizens — particularly the Rev. Dr. George Diehl and 
family, former residents of Easton. 

On July 8, 1861, after a return march through Boonsboro, and a night encampment 
on Kennedy's farm, and after fording the Potomac at Williamsport, it advanced to Falling 
Waters and joined the balance of the division of General Patterson at Martinsburg, where 
the following order was received : 

" He.\dquarters, Department of Pennsylvania. 
^'' To Col. SaiiiiicI Yoke, Commanding First Pciiiia. I'^oiitntecrs. 

"De.^r Sir : I am instructed by the Commanding General to say that your regiment 
lias been selected to garrison this important post, on account of the confidence reposed in 
the administrative qualities of the Commander and the heretofore good condudl of the reg- 
iment, which gives assurance of the safety of the depot, and that the inhabitants will be 
protected, and many now opposed to us made friends of, while the lukewarm will be 
strengthened in their feelings. 

" I am sir, very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

"F. J. Porter, A. A. G." 

Martinsburg was now a base of supplies and an important station. On July 14, Gen- 
eral Patterson moved his division towards Bunker Hill, and two days later the First Penn- 
sylvania rejoined it at Charlestown, whither it had convoyed a heavy ammunition train. It 
was here supplied with ten days' cooked rations on July 17, and put in light marching 
order, ready for a forward movement, which unfortunately was not ordered. During the 
days following, until July 21, when Bull Run was fought, already beyond the time for 
muster out, the volunteers were under arms, anxious for the advance which was to pre- 
vent the rebel General Johnston from reinforcing Beauregard at Manassas. But while Pat- 
terson was halting Johnston was marching, and on July 21, when the latter had joined the 
main rebel army and had turned defeat into victory, our volunteers, to their surjjrise, were 
ordered to move to Harper's Ferr}-. The regiment marched on the 23d to Sandy Hook, 
and on the same evening took train for Harrisburg, where the men were honorably dis- 
charged and mustered out of service. 

Bates' Histor\- of the Pennsylvania \'olunteers, from which we have freely drawn, 
closes the account of the regiment, as follows : 

"During the time that the regiment was in service it did not participate in any bat- 
tles ; but its timely arrival in the field accomplished much good by checking any rash 
movement on the part of rebels in arms along our borders. The duties it was called upon 
to perform were faithfully done, and its good conduct, under all circumstances, was ap- 
preciated and acknowledged by its superior officers." 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 237 

RECEPTION OF THE THREE MONTHS VOLUNTEERS. 

Coinniittees had been appointed to arrange for the reception of the vohinteers upon 

their return, and the arrival of the train conveying them from Harrisburg was announced 

by signal guns fired upon Mount Jefferson on Tuesday, July 30, 1861. At one o'clock the 

citizens began to pour into the streets, and South Third street soon became a dense mass 

of human beings. Near two o'clock the procession headed by a large number of citizens, 

and Pomp's Cornet Band, came across the Lehigh Bridge and marched through some of 

the principal streets, amid the ringing of the bells of the chiirches, the Court House, and 

acclamations of the people. Colonel Yohe, Lieut. Colonel Good, Paymaster Thomas* and 

Major Glanz, mounted, preceded the companies, which marched in the following order : 

Co. B, First Penna. \'ol., Capt. Jacob Dachrodt. 

Co. C, First Penna. \'ol., Capt. William H. Armstrong. 

Co. D, First Penna. Vol., Capt. Chas. A. Heckman. 

Co. H, First Penna. Vol., Capt. Ferd. W. Bell. 
Co. F, Ninth Penna. Vol., Capt. Richard A. Graeffe. 

The newspapers of the day report that the men looked sunburnt, dusty and fatigued 
to such a degree that many could hardly be recognized. They were halted in the Square 
and welcomed home in a neat and appropriate speech by E. J. Fox, Esq., to which Col. 
Yohe replied in a few brief sentences, in which he said that Rebels could be conquered 
only by treating them as all other enemies are treated in war. He concluded by thanking 
the soldiers for their good conducft. Bountiful collations were spread at the Masonic Hall 
and the armories. 

The reception was not unmixed with sadness, for disease — more dreaded by soldiers 
than the dangers of the battle-field — had detained some. One young man, William Wil- 
king, had died at Harrisburg while the regiment was preparing to return. Almost the 
whole of this command saw more adlive service in later organizations. 

Within a few weeks the fatal fevers of the camp had taken away Benjamin F. Moyer, 
John Lerch, Henry W. Wilking, George W. Sigman, John W. Bowman, Alexander W. 
Hoyt, Edmund Shouse, Edwin Housel and Lieutenant James F. Thompson. None had 
arrived at middle age, most were barely in their majority, and one. Lieutenant Thompson, 
some monthsshort of his, a son of W. H. Thompson, Esq., was of exceptional promise, and 
in his brief service, led all to predict for hisability and soldierly qualities a brilliant career. 

RIOTOUS OUTBREAK. 

The war feeling had now become intense. The disastrous defeat at Bull Run height- 
ened, rather than depressed the patriotism of the volunteers, and they were restive under 
the covert rejoicing and ill-timed remarks of alleged sympathizers with secession. 

On Monday night, August 19, 1861, this excitement resulted in a riotous outbreak. 
A speech, received as partisan and inflammatory, and denunciatory of the war, delivered 
in the afternoon, was the immediate cause. The mob, in the form of a large procession, 
moved up South Third street about half-past nine o'clock, led by old soldiers, some of 
them intoxicated, and called upon prominent citizens in different parts of the town, whose 

*NoTE. — ^This officer bad been cbosen as Regimental Paymaster, but tbe office being abolished, he remained 
with the command, without pay, and rendered efficient service throughout the campaign. 



238 THE HISTORY OF 

loyalty they suspe6led, to make patriotic speeches and exhibit the stars and stripes. The 
speeches were made and the flags produced, when the latter could be had, for most part 
in good humor. No violence was done save at a printing office on South Third street, 
which was torn out and its type and printing material thrown into the street, and at a later 
hour burned. An attack was made upon another printing office on Northampton street, 
but further damage, here and at private residences, was prevented by the interference of prom- 
inent patriotic citizens who lost no time in their efforts to control the mob. 

A large crowd moving to martial music was halted at the Square on the following 
evening by citizens who called upon Governor A. H. Reeder to speak to it. In a well- 
timed and well-received speech he exhorted all to return to their homes and commit no 
violence. With cheers for the Union the crowd slowly dispersed. 

This was the first and most violent outbreak in Easton during the war. It was depre- 
cated by all good citizens of all parties, who believed that the cause of liberty for which 
they were battling could not be furthered by lawless license, and that of all tyrannies that 
of the mob is the worst. At the same time all impartial persons, looking back upon the 
taunts flung at men making every sacrifice to maintain the integrity of the Republic, must 
now admit, that there was quite as much cause for this outbreak, as for those against the 
tories of the Revolution, which have been staple texts for Fourth of July speeches. 

RECRUITING IN EA.STON. 

But duty called volunteers to the field and recruiting for various commands was car- 
ried on briskly during the summer and fall of 1861. Captain Ferdinand W. Bell, long 
prominent in military circles in the borough, and a most accomplished officer, and Lieut. 
Charles H. Yard, both members of the First Penna. Vols., opened recruiting lists for three 
years or during the war, in the mouth of August. During the month of September arri- 
vals are reported of soldiers at Camp Washington to join a regiment of which Col. James 
Miller was to take command. Capt. Richard A. Graeffe, who had seen some years' service 
in the United States Regular Army prior to his three months" campaign, was also engaged 
in recruiting a company. 

Capt. F. W. Bell on Saturday, September 14, 1861, left for Harrisburg with forty vol- 
unteers. Twenty others had gone on the preceding Tuesday. This departure was made the 
more memorable by the music of a band recruited by the director of Pomp's Cornet Band 
and well-known composer, Thomas Coates, Esq., for the Forty-seventh Penna. \'olun- 
teers. It numbered twenty-one men — all but two or three of the favorite Pomp's Band — 
and as it led the column to the music of "Dixie," hundreds of our citizens kept step to 
the air, regretting the loss of the famous band to the borough, but cheering its patriotic 
mission. 

sevmour's b.^ttery. 

A battery of distinguished fame during the war was about this time recruited in Eas- 
ton by Capt. Truman Seymour, on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1861. Many of these recruits had 
seen service in the three months' campaign, and the contrast, at this time, between the 
complete appointments of the regulars and the uncertain equipment of the volunteers may 
have helped enlistments. At all events Easton gave that worthy commander a worthy 
body of men. IMore than forty men left Easton under Captain Seymour's command. 
Their names were as follows : 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



239 



BATTERY C, FIFTH UNITED STATES ARTIIXER\ 
(Men recruited at Eastoii.) 
Firsl Sergeants — ^James Simons, Frank Ginginger. 
Second Sergeants — E. N. R. Olil, William Lyons. 
Sergeant — Edward Cook. 



James I. Brodie. 
John Green. 
Daniel Wliitesell. 



John Andrew, 
William Howard, 
Arthur Grimes, 
Dennis McIIheny, 
James G. Fargo, 
Martin Johnson, 
David Troxell, 
Herman Snyder, 
James Duffy, 
Milton Charles, 
Samuel Emmons, 



J. Morrisse}', 
J. F. Burghner, 
C. H. Muller, 
H. Hirth, 
J. J. Carey, 
F. Frevberger, 



Bii,iiUr—.\. R. Muller. 



PRIVATES, 
Edward Burke, 
John H. Bixler, 
Jacob Freyberger, 
Samuel Vogel, 
Andrew Muckley, 
William Brader, 
J. J. Gangwere, 
John Serfass, 
William Balliet, 
John Fortner, 
John Steiner, 



W. Warner, 
Ed. Lines, 
S. Snyder, 
G. E. Diehl, 
E. Galligau, 
Ed. Balliet, 



Sergeant — George B. Green. 

" William Lynes. 

Corporal — Francis Mowery. 

" William Naylor. 

" William Houck. 

" John Schoen. 

Peter Stone, 
Charles Green, 
George Sigenthall, 
John Dachrodt, 
Samuel S. Lesher, 
David Ensley, 
Thomas K. Lesher, 
Simon Reed, 
William Davenport, 
Charles Kriche, 
Edward Luker. 



Captain Truman Seymour was a graduate of West Point, had served with honorable 
mention throughout the Mexican War, and was one of the heroic band with General An- 
derson at the bombardment of Fort Sumter. While in service in Mexico he had formed 
the acquaintance of Mr. E. N. R. Ohl, of Easton, through whom he learned, in 1861, that 
Easton would be a good recruiting station for a battery, which he had authority to raise, 
to serve in the war of the Rebellion. He opened a recruiting office in the south-east cor- 
ner of Centre Square and engaged E. N. R. Ohl as an assistant. The men were sworn 
into service by Samuel Moore, Esq., J. P., and upon arrival at Harrisburg, received their 
equipment. The battery numbered 138 men, and the armament consisted of six twelve- 
pound brass Napoleon guns. The winter of 1861 was spent in Harrisburg in constant 
drill, and it joined the Army of the Potomac in the latter part of March, 1862, one of the 
most efficient batteries in the service, as will be seen when we refer hereafter to its long 
roll of hard-fought battles. 

Every few days, say the borough papers of the time, officers were taking from ten to 
twenty men to Harrisburg. Capt. David Schortz and Lieutenant Albert N. Seip were 
busily engaged in recruiting a cavalry company during this mouth of September. On Mon- 
day, Oct. 14, they left with forty men for Camp Curtin and added to their number largely a 
few days later. Col. Miller's regiment, eight hundred strong, had left Camp Washington 
the week before. Thi^s regiment contained many three months men. It was known as the 
Eighty-first Penna. Vols., and took part in many hard-fought engagements, as will appear 
in our further reference to its long and honorable record. 

During the winter of 1861-2, while recruiting continued active in our borough, the 
ladies of Easton were busy in preparing many articles for the comfort of the sick and 
wounded soldiers. Clothing of all kinds was made up and sent to Washington for distribu- 
tion among the different hospitals. 

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, 1862, AND NOTES OF VOLUNTEERS. 

An unusually earnest celebration of Washington's birthday was had Feb. 22, 1862. 
At the Third Street Reformed Church in the forenoon there was a general meeting of the 
clergy and citizens. Prayers were offered by Revs. John Oray and B. Sadtler, and the im- 



240 



THE HlSrORY OF 



mortal Farewell Address was read by Hon. A. H. Reeder. Cannon firing; from Mt. Jeffer- 
son continned thronghout the day. In the evening many buildings, including the College, 
were brilliantly illuminated, and rockets whizzed and bonfires blazed in the streets which 
were filled with people. It attested the earnestness of the masses for the maintenance of 
the Union. The events of the war had now in some measure lost their novelty, but the 
spirit of this celebration, the adlive recruiting, the many organizations for the comfort of 
our volunteers, all proved the ready determination of our people for its serious work. 

OVATION TO CHARLE.S A. HECKMAN, COLONEL OF NINTH N. J. VOLUNTEERS. 

A large number of citizens on March 31, 1862, through their spokesman, E. J. Fox, 
Esq., extended a hearty welcome to Col. Charles A. Heckman, late Captain of the First 
Penna. Vols., and then of the Ninth N. J. Vols., at the American Hotel, and in the even- 
ing tendered him a banquet at the National Hotel. The Colonel's promotion was well 
earned, and his regiment performed gallant service. 

We note with pleasure the further promotion of this j^allant officer (although since his volunteering with 
the three months men he has been a resident of New Jersey) to Brigadier General and Major General by brevet, 
the just reward of distinguished 
military services, dating from 
the Mexican War, and closing 
with the well-fought battles of 
the Army of the Potomac. The 
annexed extradl is from the F irst 
Reunion pamphlet of the Ninth 
New Jersey Volunteers : " Chas 
A. Heckman was born at Has 
ton, Pennsylvania, December ^, 
1822, and commenced his bril 
liant military career during the 
war with Mexico, in which a-^ 
I'irst Sergeant of Company II, 
First United States Voltigner^, 
he took part in most of the bat 
ties. Returning to his home at 
Phillipsburg, this state, his pi es 
ent place of residence, he acce])t 
ed a conductorship on the Cen 
tral Railroad, which position lie 
filled with great acceptabilit\ to 
the company until the rebellion 
broke out. when he raised a com- 
pany, which was assigned to the 
First Pennsylvania Regiment. 
At the end of the campaign, his 



command was mustered out, 
when, at the urgent solicitation 
of Governor Olden, he accepted 
the majority of the New Jersey 
Ninth. Foster, in his 'New Jer- 
.sey and the Rebellion,' says; 
' Heckman at once became con- 
spicuous as a soldier of the high- 
est accom]3lishments. Perhaps, 
no general ever behaved with 
greater gallantry in acftion than 
he. He was, as truly as any man 
that ever lived, insensible to fear. 
During the whole period of his 
service, he was never once found 
in any other position than at the 
head of his columns.' Often 
was his apparel perforated by 
bullets. He escaped death so 
frequently that his men believed 
he bore a charmed life, and fol- 
lowed him more cheerfully to 
the very jaws of death. The 
men of the Ninth won for him 
a star in their six days' terrible 
fighting on the Goldsboro' ex- 
pedition, in December, 1862. In 
1S64, General Heckman relieved Gen. Getty in the command of 20,000 troops defending the approaches to Norfolk. 
The general was captured at the desperate battle of Drury's Bluff, May 16, 1864, and confined in various prison- 
pens until late in the summer, when he was exchanged. He was heartily welcomed by General Butler, who 
gave him command of the second division of the Eighteenth army corps, with which he captured Fort Harri- 
son (two thousand Confederates and four pieces of artillery being the fruits of his brilliant viClory) for which he 
was complimented by General Grant. In the spring of 1865 he became commander of the Twenty-fifth corps, 
which he moulded into an effecftive command. In May, 1865, General Heckman resigned, having previously 
been commissioned a major-general by brevet. He possessed a magnificent voice, whose clarion-like notes were 
often heard above the roar of battle. Despite his apparent love of war, he had a passion for music, his flute 
being scarcely less dear to him than his sword." 




Charles .\. Hkckman, 
Captain Co. 1), ist P. V. Br. M.-ij. Gen. Vol. 

(From W.ir Phi.tograph.) 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 241 

LIEUTENANTS REEDER AND W^'CKOFF WOUNDED. 

In April, 1862, Lieut. Howard J. Reeder, son of Hon. A. H. Reeder, and Lieut. Wal- 
ter W)'ckoff, son of Dr. Isaac C. Wyckoff, both of the U. S. Army, returned home upon 
furloughs, both being disabled by wounds, — the former at New Madrid and the latter at 
Pittsburg Landing. The elder brother of Lieut. Reeder, George M. Reeder, had joined 
the First Kansas Volunteers as private and was promoted to a captaincy. Their names, 
with that of a younger brother, Frank Reeder, also in service, will again appear in con- 
netlion with their respective commands. 

FUNERAL OF COL. JAMES MILLER, EIGHTY-FIR.ST PENNA. VOLS. 

The body of Col. James Miller, who fell while gallantly leading his regiment, the 
Eighty-first Penna. Vols., at the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862, was received in New 
York by a committee of Eastonians appointed for that purpose.* Easton lamented him 
dead as she had cheered him when in strong life he left her camp for the battlefield with 
his brave command. The military procession at his funeral, June 11, 1862, consisted of 
one cavalry and three infantry companies. It was much increased by the Odd Fellows, 
Order of United American Mechanics, stiidents of Lafayette College, many citizens on foot, 
and a large number of carriages filled with relatives and friends. After marching through 
several streets a halt was made at the Brainerd Church, where, after a sermon by Rev. W. 
C. Cattell, the remains were escorted to the cemetery for interment. 

During service with this regiment, H. Boyd McKeen, promoted from Major to Colonel, 
was wounded at Malvern Hill, at Fredericksburg, and at Chancellorsville, and was killed 
at Cold Harbor while heading the brigade in a desperate charge. He was a .son of Henry 
McKeen, Esq., and well known in Easton. Another son, long a resident of South Easton, 
William M. McKeen, First Lieutenant, Co. K, One Hundred and Eighteenth Penna. Vols., 
was severely wounded at Shepherdstown, Va., Sept. 20, 1864. 

* This regiment, as has been stated, was recruited at Camp Washington, and many men from the borough of 
South Easton, with some few from Easton were in its ranks, but not in a separate company organization. Its 
Colonel was born in Antrim, Ireland, in April 1S23, and emigrated to America in 1834, settling in what is now Carbon 
County, but then part of Northampton. At the outbreak of the Mexican War he was a jeweler in Mauch Chunk, 
and was made Captain of a company of volunteers raised in that place, and with it was mustered into the United 
States service as part of the Second Regiment Penna. Volunteers. He took distinguished part in the most 
prominent battles of that war, and while storming the heights of Chapultepec was severely wounded in the arm, 
notwithstanding which, with his arm in a sling, he marched at the head of his company in the triumphal entry 
of the army into the City of Mexico. 

He was in business in New York City when called to the command of the Eighty-first Penna. Volunteers, 
upon the recommendation of prominent citizens, of whom Edward J. Fox, Esq., was most adtive. It was a 
worthy appointment and the regiment was ably commanded and faithfully led until his death, which took place 
at the battle of Fair Oaks through his mistaking a rebel regiment in his front for Union troops. Clad in stolen 
blue, they had emerged by the flank from a wood in his front, and upon his hail "What regiment is that?" 
they faced to the front, and at short range, delivered a volley, by which he fell, shot through the heart, and 
many of his command were killed aud wounded. In the years of hard service following, until the surrender at 
Apponiatox, Col. Miller's name was a rallying cry in many a well-fought fight. 

In a public address Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, while referring to the Penn.sylvania Volunteers under his 
command, paid a warm and deserved tribute to his service and gallantry. An obituary in a leading New York 
paper said "He was not only a true soldier and faithful officer, ever seeking the good of his men, phvsically 
and morally striving to make them a regiment to be trusted in the day of battle, but he was a faithful Christian, 
a true soldier of Jesus Christ, as energetic a hero under the banner of the Cross as he was under the banner of 
his country." 

After funeral obsequies in New York, in which the body lay in state in City Hall, and was escorted by the 
Twelfth Regiment National Guards, N. Y., to the ferry, it was delivered to the Easton committee. 



242 



THE HISTORY OF 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PATRIOTIC WORK. 

Besides the substantial comfort provided for the volunteers by the Ladies' Aid Society 
from time to time, almost all of the public schools of the borough at the close of their 
term in June 1862, made up boxes filled with articles suitable for sick and wounded sol- 
diers. The children were, from the outbreak of the war, schooled in pra6lical lessons of 

patriotism. 

SEYMOUR'S BATTERY. 

An Interesting War Letter. 
The following note from Edward J. Fox, Esq., was published in the "Daily Express" 
of July 15, 1862. It accompanied the letter of Lieutenant Scott, which we also give : 

Editor Express : I received on Friday a letter from General Truman Seymour, who is, since the capture 
of General McCall, commanding the division of Pennsylvania Reser\-es, and who was in all the recent battles 
near Richmond, but escaped unharmed, as his many friends here will rejoice to learn. He sends me a letter 
from Lieut. Scott, who, since the wounding of Capt. Dehart, is in command of Battery C, Fifth Artiller}-, the 
Batterj- raised by General (then Captain) Seymour. Speaking of the men in the Battery from Easton and 
vicinity. General Seymour says : "That they could do well we all knew ; that none would have behaved more 
gallantly, may well now be asserted." He gives me permission to make Lieut. Scott's letter public, saying that 
it will gratify many of the Easton people to be assured that their friends bore a prominent and honorable part in 
these terrible encounters. E. J. F. 

C.4MP NEAR James River, June 7, 1862. 

GenER.^L : An answer to your inquiry respecting the Easton men of our battery during the recent engage- 
ment would be easv, were it not that to make a distinction in the case of any would be invidious if not unjust, 
where all did so well. To answer then for all — they did nobly, and I wish it was in my power to express in 
words the coolness and intrepidity they showed in deeds. Of course during the excitement of an adlion 
my eye could not have been upon all. I can therefore speak only of those under my immediate command, ad- 
ding such items concerning others as I have since obtained from my brother officers. 

Searfoss was the first victim chosen from among us. He was acfling as No. 6 to my right piece, and was in 
the act of cutting the fuse of a shell when struck by a round shot below the left knee. We were under a verv- 
hea\'j' fire from three batteries at the time, and it was some time before he could be carried from the field. He 
expired in a few hours after being taken to the hospital, and in him the battery lost a good soldier and a good 
man. This occurred during the first engagement, June 26, and was the sole casualty of that action. In the 
adlion of Gaines Mill on the following day the batterj- suffered severely. Sergeant Brodie, the chief of my left 
piece, paid the penalty of his almost rash bravery, by receiving a wound in his knee. He was struck almost as 
soon as we had come into batterj- and before the firing commenced. He reached Savage's Station, where he 
was no doubt taken prisoner a few days afterward. The courage he displayed deserves especial mention, as did 
also that of Sergeant Ginginger, who w-as shot through the body in the same acflion. On the retreat he came 
along side of me, and noticing that he swayed unsteadily in his saddle, I called to him, asking if he was hit and 
telling him to keep by my side. He made no reply, but urged on his horse and was soon lost in the crowd. He 
died, I think, on Sunday, at Savage's Station. I made an effort to see him but failed. He was remarkable for 
the energy and thoroughness with which he accomplished whatever he put his hand to, and in his death the 
battery met with a great loss. 

Corporal Hauck was chief of caisson, and when struck was attending to his duties in serving out ammuni- 
tion. He was shot in the breast and in the thigh and fell immediateh'. An effort was made to get him off the 
field, but it was unsuccessful. Sergeant Cook attempted to get him on his horse, but at that moment the horse 
was shot and the Corporal had to be abandoned. The horse carried the Sergeant off the field and they fell, 
pierced in six places The Sergeant himself escaped after doing his duty nobly to the last minute, unhurt, but 
carrj-ing off a memorial hole through his blouse. Corporal Hauck was a man of quiet, modest demeanor, who 
gave great promise as a soldier. 

Naylor was acting as No. I to Sergeant Cook's piece, and was killed at his post while fighting bravely. 
Y'ou will recollect him the more particularly from the service he rendered you w-hen the battery was under your 
command. The manner of his death verified your high estimate of his charaifler. 

Corporal Carey, gunner to Sergeant Cook's piece was struck in the shoulder while unfi.xing the prolonge 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 243 

by a buck-shot. I am happy to say he is still with us, that his wound is doing well, and that he will soon re- 
turn to service. 

Of those immediately under my command I cannot speak too well. The two Balliets, Corporal Brader, 
Simons, Gangwere, Galligan, Shane, Mowry, Grimes — in facfl all stood up to their work more than like men. 
Simons and Gangwere you will recolledl as the lead drivers of my pieces. Though in a most exposed situation, 
and with no adlive duty to draw their attention from the scene around them, like men thoroughly in earnest, 
thev found for themselves something to do in reporting the effecSl of the different shots, not discernible by us, 
and when the smoke becaiue so packed in front of the guns as to cut off the view entirely, these men stood up 
in their stirrups aud cheered on the cannoniers till the last shot was fired. Corporal Brader acted as chief of 
piece after Sergeant Brodie was shot, and filled his place well. He was well sustained by Galligan, the No. i of 
the piece. Corporals Lines, Muller, Green, Reed, and privates Whitesell, the brothers Green and Andrews, have 
won from their commander the highest praises, and others of whom I have heard, but the multiplicity of whose 
names prevents any mention of them, have carried their share of the encomiums which public opinion seems to 
have given the battery. In fact, sir, I find it impossible to mention one without doing injustice by my silence 
to another. All did well — not one flinched or wavered, or made the first motion towards retreating till they 
were ordered to do so, and then they stuck by their pieces. That I have not mentioned other names is no rea- 
son that they are not deserving of mention. On the contrary' there is not one of whom his State and town can- 
not be proud. I cannot close without mentioning the refreshing coolness of Bugler Reeder Muller on that warm 
day. The youngest member of the batter\', he was not surpassed in courage by the eldest, and followed the 
Captain hither and thither with the same nonchalance with which he had often followed \-ou on the drill 
ground. 

In conclusion, let me congratulate you sir, upon the good effects of the discipline you enforced when in 
command of this batten,-. With education a good beginning makes a good ending. These men received their 
first start in their military life from you, and to you is due in a great measure the satisfactory results. 

In the hope, sir, that our deeds have been as satisfaftory to you as your commendation has been pleasing to 

' ' Your obedient servant, E- G. ScoTT, 

Lieut. Commanding Battery C, Fifth Artillery, U. S. A. 

For convenience of reference we continue here briefly onr account of the ftill and faith- 
ful services of this body of Eastonians. 

After the fearful fighting on the Peninsula, the battery went with the Army of the 
Potomac on its northward march in pursuit of Lee, and took part in Second Bull Run, 
vSouth Mountain and Antietam, which latter fight it opened by a cannonade upon the rebel 
Washington Artillery on the night of September 16. In the defeats of Fredericksburg 
and Chancellorsville it did its duty, and in the victory of Gettysburg, which gave the nation 
so glorious a Fourth of July for 1S63, it rendered prominent service, aud was highly com- 
plimented in general orders.* During the draft riots of 1863, in the City of New York, 
the battery was ordered there and stationed in City Hall Park, and remained on duty until 
quiet was restored. It was in the terrible battles of the Wilderness, and closed its fighting 
at Appomatox. It was subsequently ordered to Fortress Monroe, and performed guard 
duty over the prison in which Jefferson Davis was confined. At the expiration of its term 
of enlistment the men returned to Easton and received the congratulations of the citizens 
for patriotic duty faithfully performed. 

*NoTE. — Sergeant James Simons, in a report of the position of the place of death of the rebel General Ar- 
mistead upon the field of Gettysburg, in the Daily Free Press of April 22, 1887, states : "The fight went on, and 
a few minutes after when the wind shifted the smoke, I saw General Armistead lying right out from my giui and 
from Cushing's guns. I sent Samuel S. Lesher and John J. Gangwere, of Easton, and a man named Thomas 
Brannon from New York State, to bring the General in. * * * Our battery was located uext to Cushing's 
battery, right behind the stone wall. * * * When they carried General Armistead in the lines he thanked 
them, and said 'I did not expeft to receive such kind treatment from your hands.' Those are believed to be 
his last words. He was placed on a stretcher, carried down the hill back of our guns, and there died. Our com- 
mander. Captain Weir, gave me the order to send out men to bring in the General." 



244 ^^^ HISTORY OF 

EASTONIANS WITH BATTERY C, FIFTH U. S. A., WHO FELL IN BATTLE. 

Sergeant Frank Ginginger, Sergeant Edward Brader, Corporal William Na3lor, Cor- 
poral Francis Mowery, Corporal William Houck, John Andrews, John Serfass, William 
Howard, Thomas Morrisey. Besides the killed there were about twenty-five wounded. 

"we ARE COMING, FATHER ABRAHAM, THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MORE." 

In July, 1862, five dififerent recruiting offices were opened in Easton. The heavy de- 
pletion of Union ranks consequent upon the severe fighting of the Peninsular campaign, 
demanded prompt supplies of men. The local prints were full of reports of Eastonians 
killed and wounded in service, but the call of the President for three hundred thousand 
nine months' men met with ready response. On Monday evening, July 11, 1862, the 
date of the Governor's proclamation. Masonic Hall (the old Court House had by this time 
been torn down) was crowded to its utmost capacity. Col. Samuel Yohe presided, assisted 
by the following Vice Presidents : Samuel Moore, James McKeen, James Dinkey, Derrick 
Hnlick, John Abel, Jr., Thomas T. Miller, Frederick Seitz, John Eyerman, Major Charles 
Glanz, Max Gress, Thomas Bishop, Thomas J. Hay, Major Thos. W. Lynn, Owen Reich, 
William Firmstone, James Kidd, Edward Quinn, George G. Zane, James Young. 

Secretaries — C. Edward Hecht, Wilson Hildebrand, Jacob Dachrodt, J. I. Kinsey, 
E. Rockwell. 

Hon. H. D. Maxwell offered the following resolutions, which were seconded by M. 
Hale Jones, Esq. , and unanimously adopted. 

The preamble sets forth the nature of the Rebellion, which, after fifteen mouths of 
desperate struggle was then calling into service the entire male population of the Confed- 
erate States, between the ages of eighteen and sixty years, capable of bearing arms, and that 
the President of the United States, ever mindful of the best interests of the Republic, had 
called for three hundred thousand more men for the field to reinforce the armies of the 
Republic ; that the existence of the great Republic, the prosperity and happiness of its 
people, the preservation of the precious free institutions handed down to us by Revolu- 
tionary sires, and the continuance of the best Government the world has ever seen, with 
all its rich benefits and blessings for us and our posterity, depended upon our success in 
this great contest. 

Resolved, That we, the citizens of Easton, South Easton and vicinity, again assembled to consult as to our 
duty to the Government and Nation in this matter, do hereby solemnly reaffirm the resolutions passed in mass 
meeting in this borough ou April 13, 1861, the day the news reached us of the attack upon Fort Sumter. 

Resolved, furl/ier, That we again, now, here tender to the Government our hearty earnest self-sacrificing 
co-operation and support, and reuewedly pledge ourselves, collectively and individually, to do all in our power 
to aid the Government in the overthrow of this wicked Rebellion. 

Resolved, That we feel and appreciate the magnitude of the undertaking and the greatness of the work now 
devolved upon the loyal people of these United States. We know that we are engaged in a fearful war with an 
almost savage enemy ; that blinded, infuriated and desperate, through the machinations of desperate dema- 
gogues, our foes will not succumb, will not cease their hostility or abandon their revolt, until conquered, over- 
thrown and subdued ; that they have gathered themselves up with relentless venom and bitter hate, and are de- 
termined to withhold no means, stop at no measures and hesitate at no aA, heathenish, barbarous or devilish, to 
attain their end. 

Resolved, That in full view and conscious of the great work before us, we accept the issue. We feel that 
we are fighting for good government, law, order, progress, truth, civilization, humanity and religion ; for all 
that is dear and cherished by civilized men ; while our foes are struggling for power, rule, darkness and 



246 THE HISTORY OF 

oppression. We feel tliat the manhood of twenty-two millions of free people will never permit the glorions tem- 
ple of their liberties to be overthrown and cast down by a quarter of their number of rebel traitors, in arms to 
destroy it. 

Judge Maxwell accompanied the resolutions with a patriotic address, in which he 
invoked all to use every means God had given them to assist in putting down the rebel- 
lion. He said that those who were unable to go to the war themselves could give it their 
moral and financial help ; every one male and female could do something. 

Earnest and effective speeches were also made by Edgar F. Randolph, Esq. , O. H. 
Meyers, Esq., Capt. Wni. H. Armstrong, and Hon. Philip Johnson, and the following 
committees appointed to devise means for raising volunteers : 

Bitshkill Ward — H. D. Ma.xwell, Peter F. Eilenberger, Edward J. Fox, Edgar F. 
Randolph, McEvers Forman. 

Lehigh Ward — Charles Seitz, Daniel Black, David Garis, Henry vS. Troxell, William 
H. Lawall. 

]]^cst ]Vard — Thomas Deshler, William Hamman, Jacob Rinek, Christian Take, 
Thomas Bishop. 

South EastoH — Emanuel R. Shilling, Egbert Rockwell, Thomas L. McKeen, George 
G. Zane, James Young. 

Patriotic excitement ran high. Recruiting lists, opened at the law office of W. H. 
Armstrong, Esq., on North Third street, were speedily filled with names of over four 
hundred men. These men, for the larger part, entered the 129th Regiment Pennsylva- 
nia Volunteers, of which Jacob G. Frick, late Lieutenant Colonel 96th Penna. Vols., of 
Schuylkill county, became Colonel, and William H. Armstrong, Esq., of the Northamp- 
ton county bar, late Captain Company C, ist Penna. Vols., Lieutenant Colonel. 

ACTION OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY TO AVOID THE DRAFT. 

Under the schedule of apportionment appended to the proclamation of the Governor 
three companies were expected from the county of Northampton. To fill up this quota 
a county meeting was called to be held at Nazareth on Saturday, July 26, 1862. It was 
largely attended, and a prominent part in its proceedings was taken by citizens of Easton. 
The handbill announcing the meeting stated that the boroughs and towns of the county 
had thus far contributed most of the men and means, and that additional bounty and 
inducements were imperativelv needed to procure these volunteers and thus obviate a 
draft. 

In pursuance of a(!;l;ion then had, a meeting was held at the Court Hotise in Easton on 
the Monday following (July 28), at which committees were appointed to induce citizens 
to take the bonds, aggregating thirty thousand dollars, of fifty dollars each, to be issued 
by the County Commissioners. The committeemen from Easton were : 

Biishkill /Fa/7/— Samuel Boileau, C. E. Hecht. 

West Ward—]o\\\\ Stotzer, Robert C. Pyle. 

Lehigh If'ard — David Garis, Henry S. Troxell. 

This was the origin of the 153d Regiment Penna. Volunteers, of which Charles 
Glanz became Colonel and Jacob Dachrodt, Lieutenant Colonel, John F. Frueauff, Major, 
and Howard J. Reeder, Adjutant. All of these officers were from Easton, as were also 
many of the company officers and privates. 



E ASTON, PENX'A. 



247 



DEPARTURE OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THE 129TH PEXNA. REGIMENT. 
Two companies of the volunteers raised at the office of Captain Wm. H. Armstrong 
left for Camp Curtin on the morning of Friday, August 8, 1862, under command respec- 
tivelv of Captain John Stonebach and Captain Herbert Thomas, and were followed upon 
the next day by the company of Captain David Eckar. The 129th Regiment P. V., of 
which they formed part, was organized and mustered into service August 15, 1862. 



MUSTER ROLLS OF EASTON COMPANIES, 129TH PENNA. VOLUNTEERS. 



COMPANY D. 



Captains — Herbert Thomas. 
" George L. Fried. 

Lieulenanis — William H. Weaver, 
" Joseph Oliver, 

" Charles P. .Arnold. 

Sergeants — Hiram Hankey, 
" Henry Huber, 

" Henry Gangvvere, 

" Jeremiah Bachman, 

" Solon C. Phillippe. 



Reuben Albert, 
Edward Alsfelt, 
Charles Barnet, 
Charles Broad, 
Richard Brinker, 
Burton Burrell, 
Joel Bauer, 
John H. Buckley, 
George Bidwell, 
Charles F. Chidsey, 
Uriah Clayton, 
Charles Correll, 
Samuel D. Crawford. 
William H. Cornell, 
.\rthur Davis, 
C. Dittler, 
John Dittler, 
Paul Danner, 
Albert Drinkhouse, 
Lewis H. Eckert, 
John Eveland, 
Theodore Eveland, 
James Fraunfelter, 
Jacob Haup, 
Wm. H. Hagenbuch. 
James W. Heller, 
Henrv Herger, 



PRIVATES. 

.\mos H inkle. 
Luther Horn, 
Martin L. Horn, 
Aaron D. Hope, Jr., 
Michael Herger, 
Erwin Hartzell, 
Robert Jamison, 
Frank Keller, 
Peter J. Keime, 
William H. Kinney, 
Henry Kline, 
William H. Kline, 
Richard Knauss, 
Aaron F. Knauss, 
John Levan, 
George Lewis, 
Benjamin A. Loder, 
George H. Ludwig, 
Thomas Malcolm, 
William Miller, 
Joseph H. Moyer, 
John Murray, 
Mathew McAlee, 
George Oberlj', 
J. F. Osterstock, 
Mahlon Raub, 
Francis B. Ruth, 



COMPANY F. 



Captain — David Eckar. 

First Lieutenant —'PK\\\\> Reese. 

Second Lieutenant — Josephus Lynn. 

First Sergeant — David Bless. 

Sergeants — William Hartzell, 
" Peter M. Miller, 

" Lewis Keis, 

" Elisha Dunbar, 

" O. H. .Armstrong. 

Corporals — Peter S. Stem. 



Corporals — Charles Able. 
" Reuben Lerch, 

" Charles M. Ludwig, 

" William N. Scott, 

" Adam A. Lehn, 

" Frederick C. Mattes, 

" Isaac Fine, Jr., 

Howard R. Hetrich. 

Musicians— Peter Campbell, 
" John P. Speer. 



John C. Richards, 
Joseph P. Rudy, 
John Schwab, 
John Shaffer, 
Jacob Shewell, 
Ernest Shnyder, 
John Shawda, 
Edwin Shnyder, 
James S. Sig?nan, 
Samuel Stern, Jr., 
Edwin Swift, 
George N. Spear, 
B. R. Swift, 
George W. Thatcher, 
^.Albert T. Tilton,,,^-^ 
VV'illiam Tomer. 
Frank Tomer, 
Amos C. Uhler, 
William H.Unangst, 
Samuel Weaver, 
James Weaver, 
Peter S. Williams, 
Samuel S. Williams, 
George Wolf, 
Anthony Wagner, 
Edward Wilson. 



Corporals— WWliam .\tten. 

Otto Wohlgemuth, 
" Francis Wipler, 

" Jacob H. Kline, 

" John Greenaugh, 

" Lorenzo Reinial, 

" Stephen Brotzman, 

" Josiah Transue. 

Musician — .^Ipheus Frey. 



248 



THE HISTORY OF 



Peter Aten, 
Samuel Adams, 
John J. Allen, 
Derick Aten, 
Jeremiah Albert, 
David H. Bruce, 
Har. Bartholomew, 
Samuel Bidleman, 
James Bowman, 
John H. Butts, 
Jacob Bidleman, 
John Bangor, 
John Banhart, 
Enos Dunbar, 
William Eckar, 
Robert EUet, 
William H. Fuhr, 
William Prick, 
Charles Fox. 
William Frey, 
David Frankenfield, 
Edw. Fraunfelder, 
Joseph Geisinger, 
William Gosner, 
Andrew Hofl'man, 

Captain — John Stonebach. 

Lieutenants — Augustus F. Heller, 
" Henry Mellick. 

Sergeants — Alvin M. Meeker, 
" George E. Hutman, 

" Horace W. Snyder, 

" Tilghman Brong, 

" Herman Alsover, 

" Henry L. Arndt. 

Corporals — George Schooley, 
" George W. Wagner, 



PRIVATES. 
Robert B. Hill, 
Edmund Hibler, 
Henry Hunsberger, 
Jeremiah Hellick, 
Richard Hahn, 
Simon Knoble, 
John Kresler, 
Joseph Kocher. 
Thomas Kelly, 
Jacob E. Long, 
Theodore Labar, 
Aaron J. Lambert, 
William Lay, 
Aaron Miller, 
John Mover, 
Levi H. Mann, 
Alfred Myers, 
John M'Ginis, 
John W. M'Cracken, 
John Nolf, 
Peter Ott, 
Thomas Powe, 
Thomas Rewurk, 
Hiram Robert, 

COMPANY K. 



PRIVATES. 



James P. Buck, 
J. J. S. Bonstein, 
A. Buckman, 
James R. Bryson, 
James Bowman, 
Henry E. Burcaw, 
D. A, Beidleman, 
John Blass, 
Samuel D. Cortright, 
John DeHart, 
John Durand. 
James Derr, 
Elias Fritchman, 
George Fenicle, 
Charles Godley, 
John J. Horn, 
Wm. H. Harrison, 
Wm. H. Hartzell, 
William P. Horn, 
John P. Hay, 
Lewis Hartzell, 
George W. Heckman, 
William P. Innes, 
Joseph Kichline, 
Martin Kichline, 
David Kutz. 
Wm. H. Kutz, 



Andrew J. Knauss, 
Jacob Keinast, 
August Keiter, 
J. W. H. Knerr, 
Edward Y. Kitchen, 
Amandus Lerch, 
Charles Lanning, 
Owen J. Lerch, 
Samuel Moyer, 
Philip M. Metier, 
James Mapp, 
Justice McCarty, 
William H. Omrod, 
Napoleon Patier, 
Jacob Paulus, 
Martin Pohl. 
John K. Quigley, 
Robert Rolling, 
J. W. Rodenbough, 
William Roseberry, 
P. W. F. Randolph, 
Charles H. Rhoads, 
George W. Rice, 
R. J. Ramsden, 
Michael Rafferty, 
J. G. Reichard, 
Jacob Raub, 



Christian Rice, 
Christian H. Rice, 
Edwin H. Rice, 
James H. Stocker, 
John Seip, 
Thomas Sherer, 
William Snyder, 
Harrison Sciple, 
Enos Shoch, 
George Stocker, 
Joseph W. Savitz, 
William G. Sullivan, 
Jacob A. Stocker, 
Edward H. Transue, 
William Trumbaur, 
John J. Troch, 
Josiah Unangst, 
Joseph Wheeler, 
William Williams, 
Robert Wagner. 
William Wideman, 
John Woodback, 
John M. Wallace, 
Samuel Watson. 



Corporals — Herman H. Pohl. 
James P. Tilton, 
" F. E. F.Randolph, 

" Thomas Wagner, 

" August Heiney, 

William Minnich, 
Charles Diehl, 
George A. Simons, 
Musicians — John J. Bell, 

" Edward Roseberrv. 



J. F. Reichard, 
William Reichard, 
William F. Roseberry, 
Edward Ricker, 
Henry Steinmetz, 
George P. Steinmetz, 
George E. Sciple, 
William H. Smith, 
J. Stocker, 
Ed. Smith, 
Benjamin Smith, 
John P. B. Sloan, 
Samuel Stoneback, 
George A. Stern, 
William Sletor, 
Val. Vannorman, 
W. H. Vannorman, 
Joseph Woodring, 
M. L. Werkheiser, 
Thomas Weaver, 
John D. Willauer, 
Lewis Wilhelm. 
Charles Wolf, 
F. Willauer, 
John A. Young, 
Martin Young. 



EA S TON, PENN' A . 



249 



DRAFT ORDERED IX THE COUXTY. 

Detachments of recruits were now so frequently forwarded that their departure 
created but little excitement. The streets resounded with martial music, and volunteer- 
ing was continued by Captains John J. Horn, John E. Titus, John P. Ricker, and others. 
It had not, however, been sufficiently brisk in the county to avoid the draft, and Peter F. 
Eilenberger, Esq., was appointed Deputy Marshal for the county to make preparations 
for drafting. In his list of deputies appear the following names for the wards of Easton : 

Bushkill Ward — William Ricker, Isaac S. Eilenberger. 

Lehigh IVard—^. N. Drake. 

IVest Ward — John Bitters, Thomas W. Lynn. 

It was estimated that Easton had at that time furnished about seven hundred men, 
and would be exempted from a draft. W. H. Thompson, Esq., was appointed by the 
Governor as Commissioner, to conduct the draft in the county, and on Monday, Septem- 
ber 8, 1862, entered upon his duty of determining claims for exemption. With proper 
credits for volunteers the county was deficient eleven hundred, somewhat more than a full 
regiment. 

CALL FOR VOLUXTEERS FOR STATE DEFEXSE. 

Rebel invasion caused Governor Curtin to call for fifty thousand volunteers for the 
defense of the State. On Thursday evening, September 11, 1862, a telegram was received 
from the Governor requiring the volunteers as early as possible. At nine o'clock Judge 
Maxwell read the order to a large gathering of citizens in the Square, and on Saturday 
morning, September 13, two hundred and fifty able-bodied men left the borough for Har- 
risburg, under command of Captains Brackinridge Clemens, Thomas W. Lynn and George 
Finley. Enough men to fill the three companies to one hundred men each, followed on 
the succeeding Monday morning. Augustus Patier, a patriotic Frenchman, and an 
old resident of the borough, who had ser\'ed under the first Napoleon, with his tri-colored 
flag aloft, escorted the volunteers to the railroad depot. Upon their flanks hung mothers, 
wives, and children, with large crowds of citizens generally, all the more apprehensive, 
now that the foe was at their door ; and to meet him there were in the ranks many of the 
older business men and heads of families. These men formed part of the Fifth Regiment 
of what were called Militia or Emergency Men of 1862. Captain J. Brackinridge Clem- 
ens was made Lieutenant Colonel, Melchior H. Horn, Major, and Edward D. Lawall, 
Adjutant. The Fifth Regiment of Militia was organized September 11-13, 1862, and dis- 
charged September 24-27, 1862. The muster roll of the Easton companies, as they 
appear in Bates' Histor}-, P. V., are as follows : 



COMPANY A. 



Captain — William B. Semple. 

First Lieutenant — George H. Bender. 

Second Lieutenant — ^John O. Wagener. 

First Sergeant — Theodore Oliver. 

Sergeants — William Eichman, 
" John S. Barnet, 

" Henry B. Semple, 

" Jeremiah Murphy. 

Corporals — Valentine Weaver, 



Corporals — Edward H. Heckman, 
Rush H. Bixler. 
" Lewis C. Drake, 

" Howard Burke, 

" Thomas Rinek, 

" James M. Rothrock, 

" Charles J. Rader. 

Musician — Philip Bruch. 



250 



THE HISTORY OF 



Thomas Allen, 
Allen Albright^ 
Thomas M. Andrews, 
William Ackerman, 
James Barnet, 
Daniel Brown, 
William Brinker, 
Samuel Butz, 
William Butz, 
David Butz, 
George Barron, 
Jacob Burt, 
Thomas Bowers, 
John D. Bowers, 
Henry W. Barnet, 
William Brong, 
Floyd S. Bixler, 
Henry Brodt, 
Daniel Conklin, 
Henry M. Clay, 
Robert Coons, 
William Davis, 
George A. Drinkhouse, 
James Donovan, 
Edwin Ealer, 
Daniel Frankenfield, 
Lawrence Forman, 



PRIVATES. 
Henry S. Frey, 
Edward H. Green, 
Isaac Goldsmith, 
Theophilus P. Gould, 
Frank Green, 
Samuel Garis, 
George Hess, 
James Hoffman, 
Reuben Hellick, 
Calvin Horn, 
Edward Harmony, 
William Hutchison, 
Charles L. Hemingway, 
Samuel Howell, 
Reuben Hines, 
Stephen Hines, 
William H. Jones, 
Amos Kunsman, 
Edward Keller, 
Daniel L. Kutz, 
Francis King, 
Reuben Kolb, 
Owen Laubach, 
David Lerch, 
George D. Lehn, 
Alexander Moore, 



John Mock, 
Joseph Moser, 
Barnet Mansfield, 
John C. Mock, 
William Moon, 
Thomas McNess, 
John R. Nolf, 
Oscar Nightingale, 
James Pittenger. 
John W. Pullman, 
Robert Peacock, 
Samuel Rader, 
Henry A. Rothrock, 
Martin J. Riegel, 
Isaac S. Sharp, 
Joseph G. Semple, 
William A. Seitz, 
Augustus Stewart, 
William H. Thomas, 
James B. Wilson, 
Henry W. Wilking, 
John Weiland, 
Theodore Woodring, 
James E. Young, 
William Young, 
Richard Young. 



COMPANY F. 



Captain — George Finley. 
First Lieutenant — John J. Otto. 
Second Lieutenant — Daniel W. Snyder. 
First Sergeant — Joseph P. Cotton. 
Sergeants — Daniel Phillippe, 
John M. Seals, 
Richard N. Bitters, 
" Nelson P. Cornell. 



PRIVATES. 



Cyrus B. Alsover, 
Edward Arrowsmith, 
Samuel C. Brown, 
George Bachman, 
Jacob Bryson, 
George Benson, 
George Barron, 
Fred. Bornman, 
Joshua Bercaw, 
William Buck, 
Edward D. Bleckley, 
George J. Copp, 
Reuben W. Clewell, 
J. S. Conklin, 
Howard H. Douglass. 
Charles W. Dickson, 
Valentine Diley, 
Abraham Fowler, 



an, 



Bartlett C. Frost, 
William Fulmer, 
Max Gress, 
Lewis Gordon, 
Benjamin F. Hower, 
Lewis M. Hamman, 
Theodore F. Ham 
William E. Hamman, 
Alfred Hart, 
Charles A. Hilburn, 
Alvey Harris, 
David Kutzler. 
Peter Kelchner, 
Jesse Lewis, 
Frank Ludwig, 
Charles W. Meeker, 
John Moser, 
J. Traill Nungesser, 



Corporals — William Slavin, 

" John H. Heckman, 

" Alexander Reichard, 

" Wilson H. Hildebrandt, 

" John H. Yohe, 

" John Datesman, 

" James Ballentine, 

" George W. Reichard. 

E. F. Probst, 
Thomas F. Shipe, 
Jacob Sandt, 
Roseberry Seip, 
Charles Sigman. 
Andrew Smith, 
Frank Sigman, 
Robert Stabp, 
Frank Tellier, 
Jacob Vannorman, 
Wm. H. Werkheiser, 
Jacob W. Weaver, 
Henry S. Wagoner, 
James Ward, 
Henry Weidknecht, 
Nicodemus Wilson, 
Albert Voundt, 
Charles B. Zulick. 



COMPANY I. 



Captain — Thomas W. Lynn, 
First Lieutenant — William A. Conahay. 
Second Lieutenant — William- L. Davis. 
First Sergeant — Reuben Schlabach. 
Sergeants — William H. Ginnard, 
John W. Ricker, 

" Joseph A. Ginnard, 

" Joseph H. Clark. 

Corporals — Thomas J. Taylor. 



Corporals — George Davenport, 
" Isaac S. Eilenberger, 

" Jacob Kiefer, Jr., 

" Jonathan L. Fackenthall, 

" George P. Wagner, 

" William C. Harrison, 

" Howard Bowers, 

Musician — Charles D. Horn. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



251 



Thomas Aikens, 
R. H. Abernetliy, 
Samuel Abernethy, 
V. H. Durkhouse, 
Henry Beavers, 
Thomas Davis, 
Madison Eilenberger, 
Erastus Eilenberger, 
Alfred Godshalk, 
Charles Hyde, 
William H. Hartzell, 



PRIVATES. 

Samuel Innes, 
W. S. Johnston, 
Peter Klas, 
John Knauss, 
Frank Leidy, 
James W. Lynn, 
H. M. Mutchler, 
William Moore, 
James A. McGowan, 
Theodore McCloes, 
William S. McLean. 

COMPANY B. (South Easton.) 



Joseph McCabe, 
Frank Reeder, 
Howard J. Reeder, 
Wilson Skinner, 
John Simons, 
Jacob Tro.xell, 
T. M. Todd, 
George Willauer, 
Daniel Weinland, 
Jeremiah Yeisley. 



Captain — William Kellogg. 

First Lieutenant — Thomas L. M'Keen. 

Second Lieutenant— George E. Cyphers. 

First Sergeant — George Hubbard. 

Sergeants — Emanuel Kline, 

William Wolfram, 
" John Wolfram, 

" Henry C. Ashmore. 



Corporals — John H. Wilhelm, 

" Charles Huber, 

" John Billings, 

Peter Wilhelm, 

William H. Wilheln 

" Joseph Vogle. 

Musician — Emanuel Wilhelm. 



Samuel Allen, 
William C. Aten, 
Labourn W. Aldridge, 
Hiram Buss, 
James Briedy, 
Lewis Blose, 
Jacob Brinig, 
Francis Barr, 
Henry Brawley. 
Martin Brotzman, 
James Burns, 
George Brooks. 
Robert Boyd, 
William Cameron, 
Thomas Coyle, 
Samuel Chamberlain, 
John Carlin, 
John Chiston, 
Aaron B. Charleen, 
Samuel Davis, 
Samuel Dull, 
Peter Donnelly, 
Peter J. Dougherty. 
Andrew Elliott, 
John Frey, 
Luke Fo.x, 



PRIVATES. 
Henry Fryberger, 
James Fagan, 
Joseph Fisher, 
Henry Fronipter, 
Peter Garris, 
Richard Griffiths. 
David Gullion, 
William Galloway, 
John Guiley, 
August Goelitz, 
George Horning, 
John Hahn, 
Philip Hyle, 
William Heath, 
Thomas D. Hanlon. 
Gottlieb Heitzelman. 
Philip Hildebrand, 
Josiah Kohl, 
William Kolb, 
John F. Kline, 
John Miller, 
Patrick Mundy, 
John Marsteller, 
Joseph Marsteller, 
Stephen Mover, 
Sylvester Merwarth, 



John Maddox, 

Thomas M'Laughlin, ist, 

Thomas M'Laughlin, 2d. 

Richard M'Gee, 

John M'Makin, 

Robert M' Donald, 

Owen B. Roberts, 

John Rice, 

John C. Sheppard, 

John Stoker, 

William Shilling, 

Oscar L. Singer, 

Joseph Stiles, 

Aaron Transue, 

John Vogel, 

Peter Waltman, 

Franklin Waltman, 

Samuel Waltman, 

John Wilhelm, 

George VV'alter, 

John Weiss, 

Richard Wolfram, 

Josiah Weber, 

George P. Wright, 

William L. Zane. 



The emergency for which these men were called soon passed, but they were entitled 
to great credit for the promptness with which they volunteered, and their presence in 
large numbers on the southern border of the State, without doubt, as General McClellan 
in his letter to Governor Curtin, stated, exercised a great influence upon the enemy. 



I74TH REGIMENT DRAFTED NINE MONTHS MILITIA. 

In the 174th Regiment, nine months service, drafted militia from Pennsylvania, organ- 
ized in West Philadelphia during the latter part of October and early in November, 1862, 
a number of Eastouians served. Prominent among them were Frank Reeder, Adjutant of 
the regiment throughout its term of service, son of Hon. A. H. Reeder, and J. L. Fack- 



252 



THE HISTORY OF 



eiithall, Captain of Company A. We regret tliat we cannot obtain names of others scat- 
tered throngh the company lists. This regiment saw mnch a(5live service ; proceeding 
after its organization from Wasliington to Snffolk, \'a. , and thence on Jannary 6, 1863, to 
Newberne, N. C. It formed part of the force nnder General Foster to reinforce the army 
in front of Charleston, and reached Hilton Head, February 5, 1863. At Helena Island it 
remained in camp until February 27, when it proceeded to Beaufort and was engaged in 
the routine of camp and garrison duty until its transfer in June to Hilton Head. It was 
ordered north in July, its term of service being about to expire, and on August 7th was 
mustered out at Philadelphia. 



.d^?^^ »,^^ 



f/ 





Charles Glanz, 

Captain Co. G, gth P. V. Colonel 153d P. \'. 

(From War Photograph.) 



I \( 1 n I > \< HKonr, 

( i|it 1111(0 B isl P \ Lieut. Col. 1530! P. V. 

(From Recent Photograph.) 



.MU.STER IN OF 153D l'EXN.\. VOLUNTEERS. 

The draft ordered by Governor Curtiu had been postponed to the fifteenth day of 
September, and again to the twenty-seventh. Meanwhile, Commissioner W. H. Thompson 
announced that he would proceed to fill the draft on Monday, September 22, 1862, unless 
by that date satisfied that each township had furnished its full quota. E.xtra bounties 
offered by the townships had aided greatly, and some of the volunteers, b\' October, 
returned from service in defense of the State, again enrolled themselves, and the 153d 
Regiment, recruited wholly in the county, and the first regiment rai.sed in the vState in 
lieu of draft, was mustered into service at Harrisburg, October 11, 1862. For some davs 
previous to their departure the men gathered from the county were quartered at the 
hotels of the borough, under direction of Commissioner Thompson. They assembled at 
their respective quarters, and under command of Colonel Charles Glanz formed in regi- 
mental column and marched to the Phillipsburg depot of the Lehigh Valley Railroad (the 
South Third street bridge across the Lehigh river having been swept away b)- a late 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



253 



freshet) and there took the train for Harrisburg. Commissioner Thompson accompanied 
them, and delivered to the State one of the strongest and most efficient regiments in the 
service. Their departure occasioned great excitement. The streets were thronged with 
their country friends, and inhabitants of the borough. Immediate active service was 
expecled and farewell greetings were frequent and hearty. Company E of this regiment, 
whose roster is given below, was composed almost wholly of Eastonians ; many others 
from the borough were mustered into the other companies. 

COMPANY E. 

Captain — ^John P. Ricker. 
First Lieutenant — Christian H. Rehfuss. 
Second Lieutenants — Jeremiah Dietrich, 
" " Paul Bachschmid. 

First Sergeants — Theodore R. Combs, 

" " Andrew Burt, 

" " Adam Reisinger. 

Sergeants — William F. Snyder, 



Andrew J. Hay, 
John Bittner, 
Amandus D. Snvder. 



Corporals— ]a.c(Ai Christian, 
" Lewis Fraunfelder. 

" Vanselan Walter, 

" Nathaniel Michler, 

" Ab'm G. Snyder, 

" George W. Barnet, 

" Noah Dietrich, 

" Edwin Brinker. 

Jlfusicians — Samuel E. Lerch, 
*' Darius Thomas. 



Joseph Andrew, 
David Abel, 
Reuben Abel. 
Levi S. Brady, 
Edward Boadwee, 
Samuel Ball, 
Edward Bonden, 
Thos. T. C. Brady, 
Tobias Bauer, 
Adam Bonden, 
Sidney R. Bridinger, 
Joseph Cole, 
Charles H. Derr, 
Christian Dick, 
William Dachrodt, 
William Diehl, 
George Ellhardt, 
William Entlich, 
Simon Engel, 
Edwin Ealer, 
Pearson Flight, 
Reuben Faucht, 
Peter Glass, 
William Geiger, 
Peter Hart, 
Joseph Hetzler. 



PRIVATES. 
John Q. Hay, 
George Heffling, 
Edward Hayden, 
Charles Immich, 
Jacob Jacoby, 
John Johnson, 
Thomas Kichline, 
Mover Kohn, 
John Kisselbach, 
William Koch, 
Edward Lear, 
Peter Lear, 
Francis Leidy, 
Valentine Messinger 
Aaron Messinger, 
John Mertz, 
William Martin, 
John H. Moser, 
Henry Mutchler, 
William Miller, 
William Mover, 
John S. Neubrandt, 
Joseph Norton, 
Edward Osterstock, 
John J. Paxson, 
Emil Robst. 



Jacob Rasener, 
John A. Schug, 
John Stecher, 
Alexander Schug, 
August Stumpel. 
Samuel B. Smith, 
Frank Smith, 
John Saylor, 
William T. Sandt, 
Theodore Snyder, 
Theodore Schug, 
Messiah Transue, 
George W. Vanosten, 
Richard J. Walter, 
Charles C. Warner, 
Ab'm K. Woodring, 
Levi F. Walter, 
James E. Wilson, 
Augustus Wagner, 
Eph'm Werkheiser, 
Isaac Writtenberg, 
Peter Yeager, Jr., 
Charles A. Youch, 
John Young, 
John Zeller. 



DEPARTURE OF DRAFTED MEN. 

To fill up the quota for the county, two hundred and thirty -si.x drafted men left Eas- 
ton for Philadelphia, on Wednesday morning, October 29, 1862, and were there mustered 
into service. Their march down Third street, in charge of the Draft Commissioner, is 
noted by the papers, as peculiarly solemn. Many had left household and business, poorly 
able to afford their absence, and great sympathy was felt by the attendant crowds who 
watched their march and ferriage across the Lehigh river. 



254 



THE HISTORY OF 



EASTON LOYAL UNION LEAGUE. 

At a meeting held at the National Hotel on Satnrday evening, March 24, 1863, which 
from its numbers and enthusiasm, was reported as an unmistakable exhibition of the loyalty 
of our people to the government, and their determination to crush the rebellion, the 
Easton Loyal Union League was organized. Its alleged aim was to support the Union 
and the Constitution and to uphold the government in the prosecution of the war. The 
following named persons were chosen unanimously as permanent officers : 

President — Hon. Henry D. Maxwell. 

]'ice Presidents — Lehigh Ward: Russell S. Chidsey, Frederick Seitz, Sr. Bushkill 
Ward: John Pollock, Peter F. Eilenberger. West Ward: Jacob Rinek, Andrew J. Hay. 

Secretaries — Lehigh Ward: Wilson H. Hildebrand. Bushkill Ward: J. F. Thompson. 
West Ward: W. C. Detweiler. 

Executive Committee — Lehigh Ward: Daniel Black, Henry A. Sage, William N. 
Drake. Bushkill Ward: Derrick Hulick, John Able, Jr., James L. Mingle. West Ward: 
Charles Gcepp, John Bitters, Samuel Oliver. 

Corresponding Secretary — Benjamin F. Stem. 

Treasurer — William H. Thompson. 

A constitution and by-laws, reported by Benjamin F. Stem, Esq., chairman of com- 
mittee for that purpose, was adopted and speeches were made by Judge Maxwell on taking 
the chair, and by Charles Goepp, Esq. 

PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF A HORSE AND EQUIPMENTS. 

The following is abridged from the lengthy report of the Daily Express of April 
8, 1863: 

"The presentation of a horse and equipments to Lieutenant Colonel William H. 
Armstrong, 129th Penna. Vols., to replace one killed under him at the battle of Freder- 
icksburg, took place at Whitesell's Hotel, on Tuesday afternoon, April 7, 1863, in presence 
of a large concourse of citizens. The Colonel was escorted to the hotel by a committee 
headed by Coates' Cornet Band where the presentation speech was made by Hon. H. D. 
Maxwell. It complimented the Colonel upon fidelity to his men, and the interests of the 
service, at the expense of heavy personal sacrifice, and for gallantry upon the field, and 
assured him of the respecft and support of the citizens who gave this fine horse and equip- 
ments as a slight testimonial of their esteem. A feeling, impromptu response was made 
by the Colonel, and received with cheers for himself, his regiment, and other commands 
to whom he had referred in the following e.xtra6l from his speech : 

"The vigorous prosecution of the war alone will suppress the rebellion. It is a day 
of sacrifices, and our community, to its praise, has not been lacking in patriotic devotion. 
A stranger seeing the busy valley of the Lehigh, or the lively streets of our beautiful 
borough, would scarcely realize that the nation was engaged in a contest of so great mag- 
nitude. Here and there, desolate hearts and hearth-stones reveal it. The ranks of our 
representatives in the field are thinned through casualties incident to war, but hundreds 
yet in civil life stand ready to fill the gaps. Our large representation, already in service, 
has done us no discredit. The 51st Penna. Vols., vidlorious upon many fields, has a repu- 
tation for efficiency and heroism throughout the army. The caps found nearest that 
deadly wall at Fredericksburg bore the figures 129. In other organizations are we repre- 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 255 

sented with equal credit. The brave and accomplished Captain, Ferdinand W. Bell, of 
the 51st, who fell at Fredericksburg, will long be remembered for his soldierly attain- 
ments and superior ability as a commander." 

"In the evening a complimentary serenade was tendered to the Colonel at his resi- 
dence on North Third street," continues the Express, " to which he briefly responded, 
and with nine hearty cheers for the army of the Union the vast crowd proceeded to the 
residence of Lewis A. Buckley, Esq., and serenaded Captain Herbert Thomas of the 
129th Penna. Vols. Thus ended this glorious and well merited ovation to Lieutenant 
Colonel Armstrong, and through him to our gallant boys in the field." 

RECEPTION OF THE 129TH PENNA. VOLS. — SKETCH OF SERVICE. 

"This regiment" — to quote mainly from its regimental history, prepared for the 
Reunion of August 14, 1884, by Charles F. Chidsey, Esq., of Co. D, and from Bates' His- 
tory of the Pennsylvania Volunteers — "was organized at Camp Curtin on August 15, 1862. 
Its Colonel, Jacob G. Frick, of Pottsville, had served as a Lieutenant in the Mexican War 
and as Lieutenant Colonel of the 96th P. V. Captain William H. Armstrong, of Easton, 
late Captain of the ist P. W, a member of the Northampton County Bar, became its 
Lieutenant Colonel." The rosters of the companies from Easton have already been given. 
\'olunteers from the same place also appear upon some of the rolls of the other companies. 

"The day following its organization, August 16, after having been armed and equipped 
in great haste, it was hurried to the front and merged into the Fifth Army Corps of the 
Army of the Potomac, commanded by General Fitz John Porter. Here, by constant com- 
pany and regimental drill, in camp near Alexandria, Va. , under the acflive and intelligent 
guidance of Colonel rick, the regiment rapidly attained a marked degree of efficiency. 
Two companies, while here, rebuilt the Bull Run bridge, and for a while were stationed 
there as a guard. August 30th the 129th was for the first time under fire. It was at the 
second Bull Run fight as they were preparing a camp, after having safely delivered an am- 
munition train at Centreville. The shelling was so severe that on a double quick the 
camping ground was abandoned for one more secure from intrusion of rebel artillery prac- 
tice. September 3d, near Fairfax Seminary, the regiment was brigaded with the 91st, 
134th and 126th Penna. Regiments, commanded by General E. B. Tyler. Its ne.xt camp 
was near Fort Richardson, where brigade and battalion drill was studiously pra<5liced. On 
the morning of September 15th the brigade started on its march toward the memorable field 
ofAntietam. By an exhausting march, which sorely tried the men, the 129th pushed 
forward for two days, crossing the Monocacy, and to the sound of heavy cannonading 
arrived early in the morning of the i8th on the battlefield. With thousands of others in 
line of battle the men awaited renewal of the fight. But during the night the enemy had 
retired, and the command went into camp, where foi six weeks the regiment remained 
engaged in drill and picket duty. During this time, in an expedition up the Shenandoah 
Valley, the 129th had a lively skirmish with the enemy near Kearneysville, Va. 

AT FREDERICKSBURG. 

"On Odlober 30th the movement towards Fredericksburg began, and the regiment, now 
in the First Brigade of General A. A. Humphreys' Third Division of General Butterfield's 
Fifth Corps, marched upon that bloody, but fruitless campaign. On December 13, just 
before twilight, the gallant 129th entered the fight under a ceaseless fire of musketry and 



256 THE HISTORY OF 

artillery. Over the prostrate bodies of thousands of Union dead they pressed forward as 
a forlorn hope to capture the heights of Fredericksburg. In the gathering darkness they 
fought, as only true soldiers could, and made a charge which became famous in the many 
heroic endeavors of that dreadful day." The charge of Humphreys' Division is a feature 
of the battle mentioned in many histories of the war. It is graphically shown in a large 
double page pidlure in Harper' s Weekly of January 10, 1863. The New York World 
correspondent of the time wrote: "The column moved gallantly forward, reached the 
line of battle, passed fifty yards beyond, when a deadly fire from behind the stone wall 
caused it to recoil, and the Second Brigade (Allabach's) fell back to reform. In fifteen 
minutes the brigade had lost five hundred men. There was but one more chance. Tyler's 
Brigade had come up, and, notwithstanding the turmoil. General Humphreys had suc- 
ceeded in forming it in gallant style. The only hope now was with the bayonet. The 
men were ordered not to fire — to rely upon their trusty steel. General Humphreys took 
the command. General Hooker exhorted the men not to quail ; not to look back ; to dis- 
regard the men prostrate on the ground before them, to march over them. The officers 
were ordered to the front ; then the brigade, led in persou by Tyler and Humphreys moved 
forward with a glorious cheer. They came within eighty yards of the fatal wall, crossing 
line upon line of men lying flat upon the ground ; they moved over the living mass amid 
shouts from the prostrate men, ' Don't go there, its certain death ;' and rising they began 
to impede the progress of the column. Then the crisis came ; older troops than they had 
quailed before the murderous volleys now making great gaps through their ranks ; the 
head of the column was enveloped in a sheet of living flame ; the hideous shells were 
bursting all around and in their midst. The men began to load and fire ; the momentum 
of the charge was gone and they were forced to fall back. Humphreys had two horses shot 
under him and was terribly chagrined at his repulse, and this was the forlorn hope of the 
day. It demonstrated the impregnability of the enemy's position — demonstrated that tlic 
bravest troops itt the uwrld could not stem the torrent of fire which poured and plunged 
and converged into that fatal space." It is said in " Bates' History" that the caps found 
nearest the rebel wall at the slaughter of Fredericksburg were marked "129th P. V." 
Company D lost lyieutenant Joseph Oliver and seven privates as prisoners taken at the 
wall. The regiment lost in killed and wounded 142 men. Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong 
had his horse shot under him. Captains Lawrence and Taylor were mortally wounded, 
and Captains Wren, Thomas, Rehrer and Leib, and Lieutenants Luckenbach and Oliver 
received severe wounds. The General commanding in his report of the battle spoke in 
glowing terms of the 129th. 

The casualities at Fredericksburg among the Easton companies were : 
Company D — Captain Herbert Thomas wounded ; Second Lieutenant Joseph Oliver 
wounded and captured ; Sergeant Jeremiah Bachman wounded ; Sergeant Solon C. Phil- 
lippe wounded ; Corporals Reuben Lerch, Frederick C. Mattes, Isaac C. Fine, wounded ; 
Privates George Bidwell, Erwin Hartzell, Edward Wilson, killed ; Privates Reuben Albert, 
Edward Alsfelt, Burton Burrell, Paul Danner, George Oberly, Frank Tomer, wounded, 
and Charles Barnet, Matthew McAlee, John Shaffer, Amos C. Uhler, James Weaver, 
Samuel S. Williams, captured. 

Company F — Sergeant O. H. Armstrong killed ; Sergeant William Aten wounded ; 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 257 

Corporal Josiah Transue killed ; Corporal Otto Wohlgemuth wounded ; Privates Jeremiah 
Albert, John H. Butts, William Frey, Thomas Kell)-, Edward Frounfelder killed, and 
Enos Dunbar, Robert Ellet, David Frankenfield, Joseph Geissinger, Andrew Hoffman, 
Henrv Hunsberger, John Kresler, John McGinnis, Christian H. Rice, Edward H. Tran- 
sue, Joseph Wheeler, John M. Wallace, wounded. 

Companv A'^Corporal George A. Simons wounded ; Privates William Sletor and 
Franklin Willauer, killed. 

THE DRE.SS COAT EPISODE. 

Towards the middle of January, 1863, an order was issued, through division head- 
quarters, requiring the men to draw dress coats. As they had just been provided with 
two blouses per man the dress coat did not seem to be needed. It would only be an incum- 
brance and a needless expense, and moreover their term of service would shortly expire. 
The officers sought to have their regiment relieved from the operations of the order ; but 
in this they were unsuccessful, and upon their refusal to obey the order the Colonel and 
Lieutenant Colouel were summarily tried and dismissed from the service. They were, 
however, soon after reinstated and restored to their commands, the general officer who 
had preferred charges against them testifv'ing to their fidelity and gallantry. 

Upon their return to the regiment a grand ovation was given to them by the officers 
and men of their command, in which many from other camps participated. It was all the 
more marked for being spontaneous, and strongly showed the gratitude of the volunteers 
for the stand taken by the officers in their behalf 

THE CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN. 

On the retreat from Fredericksburg the knapsacks and baggage of the regiment fell 
into the hands of the enemy through failure of the Division General to permit the men to 
take them from the building in which he had ordered them stored previous to the fight, 
so that until December 23d the men were exposed to the cold rainy days of winter with- 
out shelter of any kind, not even having overcoats or blankets. Their sufferings in con- 
sequence, were intense. One man died from exposure and many were thrown into hos- 
pitals. From January' 20th to 24th the regiment was on the famous Burnside's mud 
march, and on picket and scouting duty until Hooker's campaign opened against Chan- 
cellorsville, in the rear of Fredericksburg. Space forbids a detailed account of the glorious 
part taken in this memorable affair by the 129th. It engaged the enemy in a hot contest on 
Sunday morning. May 3d, 1863, in the wood in front of the Union batteries. For two 
hours they fought, till, with ammunition exhausted and their right flank turned by an 
overwhelming force of the enemy, they were ordered to face by the rear rank and retire 
behind the batteries. 

The 129th had not left the wood before the rebels were upon them, and some spirited 
hand-to-hand encounters occurred. The colors were twice seized, but defended with great 
gallantry and borne safely off. Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong fell into the enemy's hands, 
but escaped in the confusion in the rebel ranks caused by the fire of our artillery. Major 
Anthony was shot through the lungs, but survived for many years, what was then thought 
to be a mortal wound. Captain Stonebach of Company K, was seized twice as a prisoner, 
but, using his fists, he knocked down his would-be captors and escaped. The loss was 



258 THE HISTORY OF 

five killed, thirty-two wounded, and five missing. "The 129th," says General Tyler in 
his official report, "was on our left, and no man ever saw cooler work on field drill than 
was done by this regiment. Their firing was grand, by rank, by company and by wing, 
and in perfedl order. 

Casualties at Chancellorsville among the Easton companies : 
Compaiiv D — Privates Arthur Davis, William Tomer, wounded. 
Conipanv F — Private Theodore Labar, wounded. 

HOMEWARD BOUND — THE WELCOME. 

The regiment's return to camp at Falmouth, Va., on May 6th, was followed on the 
i2th by the order to report at Harrisburg, where, after a joyous homeward journey, the 
regiment was mustered out of the United States service on the i8th of May, 1863. Its 
term of service was for nine months, and the time had fully expired ; in fa6l the time of 
some of the volunteers had expired before the battle of Chancellorsville. 

The citizens of Easton, who had, among other organizations for relief of the soldiers, 
maintained what was called the " 129th Regiment Express Association," for the purpose 
of giving the regiment information from home and such assistance as was possible, had 
arranged for a general and flattering welcome upon their return. 

The following account of their reception is abridged somewhat from the report of the 
Easton Daily Express of Thursday evening, May 21, 1863 : 

"The 20th day of May, 1863, will ever be a day memorable in the annals of the 
History of Easton. It was signalized by the arrival of three companies of the 129th 
Regiment, P. V., commanded respectively by Captain George L. Fried, Captain John 
Stonebach, and Captain David Eckar, all under command of Lieutenant Colonel William 
H. Armstrong. 

"The citizens of Easton opened their arms and their hearts to welcome home that 
gallant band of patriots, who left home and kindred nine months since, with high hopes 
and enthusiastic aspirations, and amid the horrors of war have ever upheld the honor of 
the cause in which they were engaged, as well as the nation for which they were fighting. 
Since that time the men of the 129th have written for themselves and for their country a 
glorious page in the history of a patriotic and brave people, struggling to maintain their 
national xinity. Nine months have elapsed since those gallant companies marched down 
Third street, fully three hundred strong, eager to take part in the battles of their country, 
and many a brave hero who then formed part of the noble band, now sleeps on the shores 
of the RapjDahannock. 

" How sad, and at the same time chivalrous a tale is told by this reception. How 
many a thrill of joy it brings to the hearts of some, while pangs of anguish wring those 
of others. To those who have lost friends and relatives in the 129th in the chances of 
war, the cheers of welcome, yesterday, bursting from hundreds of voices were a striking 
and melancholy reminder of lost ones, upon whom they should never look as of yore. 
Those who recognized their brothers, sons, fathers, husbands and friends, thanked Heaven 
that they had been spared to them. 

"Those who knew the character of the citizens, who formed the soldiers of the regi- 
ment, expected much from them, and were not disappointed. All through their campaign 
we had good reports of their soldierly condutl, of their endurance of the toilsome march, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 259 

of their patience in the tedium of camp, of their faithfulness on the outposts, of their 
excellent discipline on all occasions, of their coolness for hours under terrific showers of 
shell and shot at the first battle of Fredericksburg, and finally of the heroic manner in 
which they won imperishable laurels at Chancellorsville under their gallant and beloved 
commander. General Joe Hooker. It was fitting that the welcome should be so imposing, 
and so cordial a demonstration. The programme adopted by the committees was carried 
out to the letter, and the demonstration was a perfe6l success, creditable to those whom it 
was intended to honor. 

ARRIVAL OF THE VOLUNTEERS. 

" The firing of five guns from Mount Jefferson on the previous evening, announced, 
according to arrangement, that the volunteers would leave Harrisburg for Easton on the 
next morning, and during the night and early forenoon, the entire town, from one end to 
the other, was decorated with flags, evergreens, etc. The morning opened beautifully, 
and a finer day could not have been selected. At the salute of three guns fired in the 
morning, many of the friends of the volunteers from the country came to join in the wel- 
come. At one o'clock in the afternoon another gun was fired to announce that the line of 
procession should be formed in the Square, and immediately thousands of persons began 
to wend their way toward the bridge and the Lehigh Valley Railroad depot, and South 
Third street soon presented a solid mass of men, women and children. The procession 
soon made its appearance at the bridge, and crossed over to the depot and awaited the 
appearance of the train. Soon the special train hove in sight, and then a deafening shout 
arose, added to by the simultaneous whistling of at least half a dozen locomotives which 
were standing on the track in the vicinity of the depot, that took down anything in the 
way of a salute we had ever heard. As the train stopped a general rush was made for the 
cars, and such a shaking of hands, kissing and embracing, as took place by the friends of 
the volunteers, some laughing, and others crying, our pen is inadequate to describe. 

"The line was immediately formed, and, headed by Coates' Cornet Band and Chief 
Marshal Colonel Samuel Yohe, proceeded across the crowded bridge, and entered Third 
street in the following order : 

Committee of Arrangements. 

Soldiers of 1812. 

Carriages containing wounded and sick soldiers. 

Orator of the day and invited guests. 

Guard of Honor commanded by Lieutenant Joseph Oliver. 

Lieutenant Colonel William H. Armstrong. 

Company D, commanded by Captain George L. Fried. 

Company F, commanded by Captain David Eckar. 

Company K, commanded by Captain John Stonebach. 

Citizens of Easton and South Easton. 

Three wagons neatly decorated with wreaths of spruce, and the horses handsomely 

caparisoned, containing the baggage of Companies D, K and F, brought up the rear of 

the procession. The teams belonged to Seitz & Brother, who had done much in getting 

up the demonstration. 

"The scene, upon the arrival of the volunteers at Third street, could better be imagined 
than described. The streets were a perfe^l jam, so much so, that it was with diflSculty 



26o THE HISTORY OF 

that the procession could pass through. The cannon again belched forth, and the bells of 
the town added to the enthusiasm. The scene along the whole of Third street to the 
Square was most imposing. The waving of handkerchiefs from the crowds on the streets, 
and by the ladies from the windows of the houses along the route, and the loud huzzas of 
many hundred voices, were well calculated to cheer the hearts of the brave soldiers. The 
throng increased as the procession made its way along the designated route, which occu- 
pied one hour. Nearly every house, by flag, banner or evergreen, made a display. A 
notice of all the decorations would be impossible. A beautiful arch of evergreen was 
ere(?led on Second street, in front of the Public School buildings by the teachers of Bush- 
kill ward. It was of double formation, extending across the street, and between the two 
bows was the motto in large letters, 'WELCOME Home, Brave 129TH.' Each letter was 
about a foot in height and surrounded by a wreath of evergreen. Other mottos adorned 
other parts of the arch, and the whole presented a most beautiful sight. The companies 
of the 129th halted at the arch, and before passing under gave three hearty cheers. Many 
private residences, stores and public buildings were handsomely decorated, and patriotic 
mottos abounded on all sides. The national flag was hung across the streets in great pro- 
fusion and floated above the hotels. 

"The procession passed through the principal streets and halted in the Square, in the 
northeast corner of which a stage had been ere6led. The volunteers were drawn up in 
solid column before it, and the orator of the day, Edgar F. Randolph, was introduced by 
Hon. A. H. Reeder. In the course of his eloquent address are the following remarks : 

" 'For these v'irtues and services, heroes of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and 
other familiar fields, let me again greet you with a hearty welcome. The pen of the his- 
torian will indeed portray in living colors your deeds of daring and high emprise, but in 
this venerable borough you will find yoiir most faithful chroniclers ; for every citizen will 
have your names graven as with a diamond on the tablet of his heart. Anxiously have 
we watched your career since you left your homes. From press, and letter, and telegram, 
we have learned the story of your military life. We have read your record upon the 
field, and proud am I to declare that you have fully justified our highest estimate of your 
honor and courage. If you have not always won success, you have invariably deserved 
it. And while I desire not to be invidious where all have so nobly acquitted themselves 
as to elicit encomiums from highly intelligent witnesses of the field, I trust I will be per- 
mitted to remark, that the troops whose annals are illustrated by the leadership of a Frick 
and an Armstrong, and whose colors are defended by a Bower and a Miller, are to be 
envied in their good fortune. Invidious did I say. No, I will not so wound you. These 
men are dear to you — their fame is your fame, their honor your honor. 

" ' But in the joy of receiving the living, let us not forget the lamented dead. There 
are before me representatives, not only of the 129th regiment, but gallant representatives 
of other regiments of the Keystone State, familiar to you all. And there is abozr me, in 
that spirit land, whence no soldier will ever return to earth, and where no bugle call will 
ever reach his ear, many a noble soul who laid himself a sacrifice upon the altar of his 
country that sJie might live. 

" 'These streets now thronged with a concourse of joyful people, have witnessed far 
different scenes during the progress of this horrid rebellion. * * * gee the gloomy 
catafalque, deeply shrouded, while through its dim portals may be discerned our sacred 



EAST ON, PENN'A. 



261 



flag, embracing within its glorious folds the earthly remains of a BELL, a Miller, or a 
Buckley, or of some other noble spirit who has fought his last fight. Slowly and sadly 
wefollowhim to the cemetery. Ourworkisdone. God bless our heroes. * * * Again, 
soldiers of the nation, we oflTer you a hearty welcome.' 

"To this address an able reply was made by Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong of the 
129th. It was brief, but impressive, and the loud cheers that followed it indicated the 
great esteem which the people have for this patriotic man. 

" Here the line was re-formed and marched to Masonic Hall, where a grand collation 
had been prepared by the citizens under the superintendence of the committee, and the 
ladies of the Union Aid Society. On reaching the hall the committee opened ranks, and 
led by the marshal, the brave boys entered the hall, which was beautifully decorated for 

the occasion. 

"Tables that reached the entire length of 
the hall were loaded with every luxury, and 
conveniences were afforded for the entire con- 
course. Ladies were in attendance, especially 
those of the Union Aid Society. Governor Reeder 
presided. When the companies had surrounded 
the tables, and had uncovered, he arose and in elo- 
quent and touching remarks, on behalf of the 
committee of ladies, bid the soldiers welcome. 
His speech was full of patriotic feeling, and was 
listened to with deep interest. Governor Reeder 
then introduced S. L. Cooley, Esq., who read a 
beautiful and touching poem written for the occa- 
sion. It was received with applause, but in the 
eyes of some we saw starting tears for the mem- 
ory of those who had fallen. 

"The dinner was a splendid one, and was 
enjoyed to the utmost, and the ladies of the asso- 
ciation, and of the borough generally, deserve 
great credit for the manner in which the hall was 
decorated and the tables spread. The south end 
of the hall was decorated with the cards contain- 
ing the names of 'Frick,' 'Armstrong,' 'Anthony,' 
and 'Green,' of the field officers and adjutant, 
respedlively of the regiment. On the east side 
of tlie hall were the following inscriptions set in 




FREDERICKSBURG, 

13th, 1862. 




D Pa. F 




CHANCELL0R8VILLE, 

May 3d, 1863. 



tasteful decorations : 

' Nothing could have been more glorious than 
the charge of Humphreys' Division. — General 
Hooker. ' 

'So long as God gives me strength, a cartridge, or a fixed bayonet, I'll do my duty. — 
Private of the i2gth.' 



262 



THE HISTORY OF 



'Easton has cause to be very proud of her soldiers, and she is very proud of them.' 
' We all stand by the army.' 

"Officers and men were greatly pleased with the reception. All our citizens took 
part in it, and the greetings from all, irrespedlive of party, showed that every citizen wel- 
comed them home. It was a general celebration. The festivities of the day closed by a 
display of fireworks and firing of rockets. Thus ended the 'Welcome Home' of the gal- 
lant i2Qth. Long may they live to enjoy the fruits of their well-earned honor, and re- 
count to their descendants the part they took in the great battles for the Union." 

We print an engraving of the badge designed by the committee for this reception, and 
worn generally on the occasion. Other appropriate badges were also worn. In the hearti- 
ness of the welcome, and completeness 
of the arrangements, and general char- 
acter of the reception, the day was a 
memorable one in the annals of Easton. 

ladies' aid societies. 

While the men of Easton were vol- 
unteering for the field the various 
Ladies' Aid Societies met regularly 
every week to prepare and forward such 
articles as were needed for the sick and 
the wounded. Some of these societies 
were organized in the different church 
congregations of the borough early in 
1S61, and rendered most efficient service. 
The contributions of one that was con- 
neCled with one of the least of the 
churches, the Reformed Dutch, amounted 
at date of November, 1862, to upwards 
of fifteen hundred dollars in money and 
articles. The others were equally lib- 
eral, and the hardships of active cam- 
jiaigning were thus materially light- 
ened. 

It is to be regretted that the names 
of the ladies who provided this comfort 
for soldiers in the field, and picked 
lint for those who were wounded, while they exchanged notes of victories won or perils 
dreaded, in their pleasant social circles, cannot be fully obtained. Our older citi- 
zens readily recall Mrs. Andrew H. Reeder, President of the Easton Sanitary Aid Society, 
Mrs. Josiah P. Hetrich, President of the Easton Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. James Thomp- 
son, Mrs. Isaac C. Wykoff, Mrs. Traill Green, Mrs. John T. Knight, Mrs. Frederick W. 
Noble, Mrs. John Eyerman, Mrs. M. Hale Jones, Mrs. Henry Green, Mrs. Washington 
McCartney and many others. Where all were so worthy, to name any may seem invid- 
ious. Their good work relieved many a weary march and lonely picket hour, and has left a 
pleasant memory with the soldiers and a sacred example to the daughters of the republic. 




Mrs. Am> 



H. Reeuer, 



President of Easton Sanitary Society. 



E ASTON, PENX'A. 



263 



THE citizens' aid SOCIETIES. 

These organizations, dating from the first great war meeting, continued their work of 
relief to the volunteers, with untiring zeal. Notably was this the case after the great 
battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862. The roar of the cannon had hardly died away 
before the committee of citizens sent from Easton to the Army of the Rappahannock, was 
there with boxes of eatables and bundles of clothing, aggregating in weight about two 
tons. These supplies were of great solace to the wounded and fev^er-stricken of the hos- 
pitals, and their bearers were amply repaid for the luxuries added to army rations, by 
sight of the perfecT: look of content with which the bronzed men enjoyed the whiff of their 
"sublime tobacco, glorious in a pipe," an army pipe at that, never dreaming of an "amber 
tip," or "naked beauty" of a cigar. 

These "ministering angels" in the 
spirit of true charity, were more zealous 
in rendering aid than in preserving rec- 
ords of their kindness. Beyond frequent 
notices of the departure of some one for 
the front, who would take with hini 
packages for the soldiers, we find no 
reference to their work. Old soldiers, 
however, will remember their visits, 
usually after some great army move- 
ment, and their Santa Claus appear- 
ance, laden with bundles of clothing 
and boxes of eatables, as they entered 
camp, and their protuberant pockets, as 
they left, stuffed with the army mail. 
Wm. Thatcher, R. C. Pyle, R. S. Bell, 
B. F. Riegel, C. Ed. Hecht, H. Ham- 
mann, S. Stonebach and Wm. H. Bix- 
ler were frequent visitors. 

REBEL INVASION OF 1863. 

Again Pennsylvania was threat- 
ened, and again the citizens of Easton 
with like ready response to the procla- 
mation of the Governor, issued on 
Monday, June 15th, 1883, for fifty 
thousand men, met in general mass meeting in front of the county house, in the southeast 
corner of Centre Square, on the evening of that day. Hon. A. H. Reeder spoke and Judge 
Maxwell read the proclamations of the President and Governor, and several telegrams, and, 
as at previous meetings, committees were appointed to obtain men for the six months' 
term of service, and thereby procure proportionate credit upon the impending draft. \'ol- 
unteering was spontaneous, and the company lists given below, show how fully all classes 
were represented. The volunteers were ready to leave in a few hours, and the greater 
portion became part of what was known as the Iron Regiment, 38th Penna. Militia. In 




Mrs. Josiah P. Hetrich, 
President of Ladies' Aid Society. 



264 



THE HISTORY OF 



its ranks were many who had seen service in other organizations and many prominent 
bnsiness men. They performed duty for which it would have been necessary to draw upon 
troops m the front but for their prompt enrohnent. Its staff and company rolls, so far as 
they relate to Easton volunteers, are copied from Bates' History P. V. 

Colonel— ^l€ic\io\x H. Horn. 

Lieiitetmnt Colonel — William H. Thompson. 

Major — Thomas L. McKeen. 

Adjutant — William Mutchler. 

COMPANY c. 



Ca//!?/;/— Joseph P. Cotton. 
First Lieutenant — Charles F. Chidsey. 
Second Lieutenant — Thomas M. Andrews. 
First Sergeant — Joshua R. Bercaw. 
Sergeants — William T. Rundio, 

" John H. Hecknian, 

" George G. Rambo, 

Jacob C. Mixsell, 

" Silas Hulshizer, pr. to Sgt. Maj., July 3, '63. 



Corporals — John A. Innes, 
John H. Yohe, 
" James W. Wood, 

" William J. Biery, 

" Nicodemus Wilson, 

" Jacob Sandt, 

" James A. Petrie, 

" Benjamin A. Loder. 

Musician — ^Joseph B. Campbell. 



Jacob August, 
Henry Bercaw, 
William Biery, 
James B. Bruner, 
George Bachman, 
Henry L. Bunstein, 
Franklin Bower, 
Tilghman Brish, 
Alfred B. Black, 
John W. Campbell, 
Erwin Eckert, 
James J. Edmonds, 
Jonathan F'ly, 
Jacob Gary, 
John B. Grier, 
Charles D. Horn, 
Andrew Hoffman. 
William Hoffman, 
Charles Hyde, 



PRIVATES. 

John W. Horn, 
William Houser, 
William Hopkins, 
William H. Honi, 
David Kelso, 
John KifHe, 
Jacob Kramer, 
Charles C. Keller, 
John W. Keeler, 
Simon H. Kester, 
Alfred Lynn, 
David K. Messinger, 
James E. Middaugh, 
Isaac S. Moser, 
George H. Minnick, 
John Morghen, 
Isaac Pixley, 
Jacob Person, 
David M. Plumley, 

COMPANY D. 



Captains— Wva. H. Thompson, pr. to Lt. Col., July 3, '63, 

" Jacob Ha)-. 

First Lieutenant — Isaac Fine, Jr. 
Second Lieutenant — Howard R. Hetrich. 
First Sergeant — William H. Weaver. 
Sergeants — Samuel D. Crawford, 

" Adam A. Lehn. 

" James S. Sigman, 

" William H. Unaugst. 

Corporats — Charles M. Ludwig. 



Charles R. Phillips, 
Isaac Riley, 
John Riley, 
William H. Stultz, 
James H. Stites, 
Thomas J. Shields, 
William F. Small, 
Thomas F. Shipe, 
Frank Schlabach, 
William H. Sigman, 
Francis Sigman, 
Samuel C. Seiple, 
Jacob S. Wilson, 
William Walton, 
Jacob Welser, 
Erwin C. Wickhoff, 
Jacob W. Weaver, 
Thomas Yelverton. 



Corporats — Ernst W. Snyder, 
" William Miller, 

" Lafayette .Sox, 

" Daniel Conklin, 

" Augustus S. Templin, 

" Jacob Burt, 

" Theodosius S. M'Leod. 

Musicians — Abraham Fowler, 
" James Mc'Gowan. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



265 



James F. R.Appleby, 
Jeremiah Anglenieyer, 
George H. Bender, 
John D. Bowers. 
Wilham Q. Brotzman, 
WiUiam D. Brown, 
Rush H. Bi.\Ier, 
William H. Butz, 
Edward D. Bleckley, 
William Brinker, 
Edward Butz. 
John Bush, 

Robert Cottingham, Jr., 
Charles T. Cole, 
Charles Deshler, 
James Deshler, 
Lewis C. Drake, 
George Drinkhouse, 
James Donnelly, 
Valentine Diley, 
James Frounfelder, 

COMPANY E. 
Captain — Edward Kelly. 
First Lieutenant — George G. Hutman. 
Second Lieutenant — ^James Tarrent, (Discharged.) 

" " Charles B. Zulick. 

First Sergeant — ^John Wilson. 
Sergeants — Patrick Shine. 
" Ephraim Steiner. 

" Robert Arnold. 



PRIVATES. 
Owen Garis, 
John A. Gerhurt. 
Stephen Hines, 
Alvin Harris, 
Andrew J. Hay, 
James Hacket, 
Isaac P. Hand, 
Charles Hemmingway, 
William Houck, 
Joseph L. Hance, 
C. Edward Ihling, 
Evan Knecht, 
Edward Keller, 
Thomas J. Kolb, 
Amos Kunsman, 
Francis King, 
Stephen Laubach, 
Charles W. Meeker, 
John Z. Moyer, 
Reuben Moyer, 



John Bittenbender, 
Anthony Brauer, 
Patrick Boyle, 
William H. Cornell, 
John Cummiskey, 
Alexander Colbathe, 
Edward Demsey, 
Timothy Dawes, 
Jacob Dean, 
John Donnovan, 
Frederick Fry, 
Allen Ginginger, 
Stephen Gross, 
Jacob Hartzell, 



PRIVATES. 

Hiram Hackman, 
Luther Horn, 
George W. Horn, 
John Herman, 
George Johnson, 
John King, 
Jacob Knobloch, 
Peter Kelchner, 
Franklin Ludwig, 
Edward Lewis, 
John May, 
Hugh E. Major, 
Daniel Medler, 

COMPANY F. 



Captains — Thomas L. McKeen, (pr. to Maj., July 3, '63. 

" Henry Huber. 

First Lieutenant — William H. Kline. 
Second Lieutenant — William N. Scott. 
First Sergeant — Samuel Laird. 
Sergeants — John Murray. 

" Daniel Laubach. 

" Samuel Cortright. 

" Alexander E. Robinson. 

Corporals — William H. Ormrod. 



John Menaul, 
Charles B. Notson, 
John F. Opdycke, 
Alfred P. Reid, 
Samuel Rader, 
Edward Snyder, 
Clement Stewart, 
Henry B. Semple, 
John M. Scales, 
Samuel Sigman, 
Henry N. Schultz, 
Emelius S. C. Schmidt, 
John Shaffer, 
Augustus L. Steuben, 
Joseph Vanorman, 
Henry W. Wilking, 
Thomas J. Weaver, 
Theodore F. Woodring, 
Henry C. Wagner, 
George Wolf. 



Sergeants — Joseph Snyder. 
Corporals — Joseph Savitz. 
" Jacob Arnold. 

William Shick. 
" William Osmun. 

Daniel Black. 
Musicia7is—\\\\\\a.m Major. 
John Schooley. 



Corporals- 



John Noe, 
John Pittenger, 
Richard Person, 
William Randolph, 
George Smith, 
Charles Smith, 
George Sweeney, 
Josiah Woolbach, 
William Wright, 
George Walsh, 
James Whitesell, 
William Wheeler, 
Charles H. Woerhrle. 



-.\lvin J. Hufford. 
John Wolfram. 
Herman \. Pohl. 
Henry W. Wilhelm 
Samuel Arndt. 
William Elliott. 
Franklin L. Terry. 
Emanuel Wilhelm. 
Thomas A. Martin. 



266 



THE HISTORY OF 



William C. Aten, 
Labourn Aldridge, 
John Billings, 
Lewis Bloss, 
Reuben Briesh, 
Thomas Boyce, 
Hiram Buss, 
Thomas Buss. 
Henry Bachman, 
Henry Basset, 
Israel Briggs, 
Samuel Cosner, 
William Cheston, 
John Clark. 
John Cheston, 
Samuel Chamberlain, 
Andrew Dietz, 
James Duncan, 
Joseph Dodd, 
James Dereemer. 
Samuel Dull, 
Andrew Elliott, 
Henry Freyberger, 
Henry Foster, 
Augustus Goelity, 

<ra/>/a/H— William Otto. 

First Lieutenants — W'llliam Mutchler (pr 

William F. Schatz. 
Second Lieutenant — William H. Ginnard. 
First Sergeant — Charles Eichman. 
Sergeants — Levine F. Leibfried. 

" Reuben Schlabach. 

" Obadiah Huebner. 

" Joseph A. Ginnard. 

Stewart Altamus, 
George Brinker, 
Jacob Bower, 
George H. Beam, 
Howard Bowers, 
John Berkey, 
Daniel Butler. 
Joseph Brinker. 
Richard Beitel, 
Leonard Breidinger, 
William A. Conahay, 
Richard Clewell, 
George Davenport, 
Charles W. Dickson, 
William Denning, 
Charles Dittler, 
John Dewalt, 
Christian Dittler, 
Joseph Flad, 
Tilghman Fehr, 
William H. Fehr. 
Alfred Frey, 



PRIVATES. 
Joseph Good ear, 
Ale.\ander Gillian, 
William Galloway, 
George Hubbard, 
Thomas Hanlin, 
William Hampton, 
Job Henry, 
William Hyle, 
George Hartzell, 
Nicholas Hartcorn, 
Augustus G. Ibach, 
John Koch, 
Peter Kleckner. 
John Kemery, 
Josiah Kohl, 
George F. Kimball, 
Wilson Lesher, 
John Miller, 
Charles Menninger, 
Frederick Mayer, 
John M'Kelvey, 
Amos M'Niel, 
Thomas M'Laughlin, 
Andrew M'Laughlin, 
John Price, 

COMPANY G. 

, toAdj't.Julvi. '63.). 



PRIVATES. 
Franklin T. Grube, 
Albert H. Good, 
Jeremiah Hellick, 
Jacob Hensler, 
Christian Hartman, 
Reuben Hines, 
Lewis H. Hamman, 
Jacob Keiper, Jr., 
John L. Keiper, 
Henry Keiper, 
William F. Keller, 
Jonas F. Kindt, 
Jacob Kratzer, 
Henry Leidy, 
John Leidich, 
Elias B. Lynn, 
James Mutchler, 
Charles Medler, 
Traill T. Nungesser, 
George B. Nace, 
Joseph J. Ochs, 
Edmund A. Oerter, 



Josiah Poe, 
Martin Pohl, 
William Pendegrast, 
John B. Roberts, 
Joseph Rupell, 
Charles V. B. Rinker, 
John Rice, 
Charles Saylor, 
Joseph Siles, 
Adam Styers, 
Emanuel R Shilling, 
Oscar A. Singer, 
Harman F. Shuler, 
Thomas Shannon, 
Andrew Tsnir, 
Stephen Taggart, 
George Vanscoter, 
John Vogle, 
John Wilhelm, 
William Wolfram, 
David Weber, 
William Waltman, 
John Weiss, 
John R. Young, 
John Young. 

Corporals — John Hensler. 
George .Arm. 
" Rudolph Babp. 

" Jeremiah Dietrich. 

" George Hensler. 

William Steckle. 
" George W. Wagoner. 

William L. Ricker. 
Musician — William Barnes. 

John Percival, 
Jacob Plattenberger, 
John Rupp, 
Jonas Reeser, 
Robert Rollan, 
Samuel Reese, 
William Snyder, 
Edward Smith, 
Neander D. Siegfried, 
John H. Santee, 
Edwin Siegfrid, 
William H. Thomas, 
John Wolle, 
Clemens Weisenbach, 
Reuben Willour, 
Edwin Werner, 
William H. Werner, 
Joseph Weiner. 
Jonathan Xander, 
John P. Young. 
TheophilusJ. Zorn. 



EAST ON, PENN'A. 



267 



COMPANY H. 



Captain — Christian Kroehl. 
First Lietitenant — David Bless. 
Second Lieutenant — James M'GIoin. 
First Sergeant — John P. Hay. 
Sergeants — Samuel Bruch. 

" Edward Troxell. 

" Levinus Transue. 

" Jonathan J. Carey. 

Corporal — Lewis Eckert. 



Thomas Bauer, 
Charles \. Barron, 
Adam Bacher, 
Andrew J. Bonstein, 
Feli.x Bachman, 
Daniel S. Crawford, 
Samuel Dutt, 
Benjamin Delp, 
Cyrus Flory, 
Martin Faulstich, 
Jacob Goether, 
Sith Crawford, 
John Garis, 
Daniel Hertzog. 
William Helwick, 
John Hensler, 
George H. Hare, 

Captain — Augustus F. Heller. 
First Lieutenant — Daniel Phillippe. 
Second Lieutenant— T'\\^mz.-n Brong. 
First Sergeant — Henry L. Arndt. 
Sergeants — .\dam H. Lane. 
Samuel Stem. 

" Burton Burrell. 

" Solon Phillippe. 

Corporals — John H. Richards. 

William Brady, 
John \. Bell, 
Peter H. Barnes, 
Thomas Bishop, 
Nelson Bishop, 
George H. Barron, 
John H. Bruch, 
Henry C. Barnet, 
George H. Barnet, 
Francis Buck, 
Charles Barnet. 
W'illiam Bercaw, 
John Barnet, 
William H. Drake, 
Alpheus Frey, 
Edward Frey, 
Joseph Green, 



Corporals — Charles Knapp. 

" Daniel Hunt. 

" George W. Barron. 

" Frederick Tacke. 

" Patrick Kaegan. 

" Henry Froelich. 

" Nicholas Lingeman. 

Musicians — Franklin Leidy. 

" Jacob Bitzer. 



PRIVATES. 



David W. Huber, 

Michael Herther, 

Jacob L. Hay, 

Meising Kutzler, 

Joseph Kobb, 

Edward B. Leibensperger, 

William Leibensperger, 

Charles Miller, 

George Miller, 

John Miller. 

John Moutz, 

.\dam Ruff, 

Thomas Rothrock, 

Joseph Reese, 

John Straub, 

Edwin Sandt, 



Adam Schickley, 
Jacob Shickley, 
Frederick Steckley, 
Edward Smith, 
Charles Stump, 
Patrick Swany, 
Frederick Troxell, 
Richard Templin, 
Jesse Walter, 
Joseph Walter, 
Levi Wagner, 
John Woolbach, 
William E. Well, 
Solomon Walter, 
Charles Yonson, 
William Yutz. 



COMPANY K. 



PRIVATES. 

Robert E. Godshalk, 
William P. Gould, 
Peter Gorman, 
John Grotz, 
Henry Heller, 
Edward Heckman, 
William Heckman, 
Alfred Hart, 
Charles A. Hilburn, 
Wesley Howell, 
William H. Hartzell, 
Edward Jones, 
William Kressler, 
Peter Mulhatan, 
Alexander Reichard, 
Oscar Rohn, 
Thomas J. Roberts, 



Corporals — Valentine Vannorman. 
George E. Sciple. 

" Andrew J. Knauss. 

" William Richard. 

" Martin Kichline. 

" Peter Campbell. 

" Jacob Bryson. 

Musicians — Philip Bruch. 

" Edward Barnet. 



Leander Roberts, 
Edward Roseberry, 
Edward Ricker, 
James Raub, 
William Raub, 
Robert Roling, 
John H. Schwab, 
Roseberry Seip, 
John H. Seiple. 
John Sloan, 
William B. Titus, 
William Trin, 
Samuel Unangst, 
George Worman, 
Charles W. Weber, 
Robert Youells, 
Joseph Young. 



The regiment was mn.stered into service July 3, 1863, and di.scliarged August 7, 1863. 



268 



THE HISTORY OF 



TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT EMERGENCY TROOPS. 



Easton was also represented i 
Troops, mustered into service June 
Major, George L. Fried. 

Captain — Joseph Oliver. 
First Lieutenant —hXv'va Meeker. 
First Sergeant — Joseph S. Osterstock. 
Sergeants — Adam Ward. 

" William Ginkinger. 

" Edward Alsfelt. 

Joseph B. W. .\dams, 
William Andrews, 
James O. Baniet, 
Thomas Bulhnan, 
Samuel V. Boustein, 
Benjamin Bruuner, 
John F. Buttner, 
William H. Correll, 
Henry Coburn, 
Charles W. Cole, 
John J. Decker, 
Matthew Donahue, 
Joseph Hendricson, 
Bathauser Hefter. 



n the Twenty-seventh Regiment Penna. Emergency 
19, 1863, and discharged July 30 and August i, 1863. 



COMPANY D. 



PRIVATES. 
Edward Harrison, 
Calvin Horn, 
Oliver Hogarth, 
Warren H. Joline, 
William Lehn, 
John M. Lewis, 
George Lox, 
Charles Lewis, 
John Miller, 
William Moore, 
William M'Fadden, 
William L. Nicholas, 
Port Nicholas, 



Sergeants — Thomas Malcolm. 
Corporals — Sidney L. Uhler. 

" Frederick Bornman. 

" William H. Wolverton. 

" Simon H. Frock. 

Musician — George F. Willauer. 

Henry C. Newman, 
William Otto, 
Robert Patterson, 
William Roseberry, 
Charles Sigman, 
Peter S Snyder, 
Samuel H. Slifer, 
Valentine Smith, 
James Todd, 
Arthur Tro.xsell, 
Jacob N. Thatcher, 
George Wolf, 
Walter L. Wycoff. 



These troops performed valuable service in strengthening the borders of the State, 
and assuring confidence not only to the armies in the immediate front of the enemy, but 
to all loyal citizens throughout the country. 

The Twenty-seventh Emergency, commanded by Col. Jacob G. Frick, late of the 
One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Penna. Vols., guarded the line of the Susquehanna 
against the rebel advance. On June 28, at Wrightsville, he was attacked in force by the 
rebel General Early. His skirmishers were driven in and the rebel artillery posted in 
commanding positions, opened fire. Without artillery, he was at the mercy of the foe 
bent upon the capture of the Columbia bridge. Still he stubbornly held his ground, until 
outnumbered, outflanked and likely to be captured he ordered his small force, the Twenty- 
seventh Penna. Vols., to retire across the bridge. When its possession by the rebels became 
inevitable, the bridge, in accordance with previous instructions, was fired. In the skir- 
mish before the withdrawal of the regiment nine men were wounded. 

The Thirty-eighth Militia after service in the neighborhood of Greencastle, near the 
Maryland line, was ordered to Pottsville and other points in the anthracite coal fields of 
Pennsylvania, where they were employed in enforcing authority. 

]\Iany of these men had been in service before. Their presence gave great moral sup- 
port to the Union army, and it has been well said, that had that army been defeated at 
Gettysburg, they would have taken the places of the fallen, and would have fought with 
a valor and desperation worthy of veterans. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



^?>,B©OJ)® 




RECEPTION OF THE I53D REGIMENT PENNA. VOLUNTEERS. 

The committee, of which Hon. Philip Johnson was chairman, consisting of two or 
more from each borough and township, appointed at a county meeting called in June, 1863, 

met at Easton on the third day of July, and made 
^^ preliminary arrangements, and adopted a pro- 
gramme of reception. As the regiment repre- 
sented all parts of the county the interest was 
proportionate, and old Northampton was thor- 
oughly aroused by the welcome to be given to the 
command so peculiarly her own. Its service had 
been watched by the people of the county with 
intense interest. The individual fortunes of its 
members had been closely followed in town and 
country, at firesides nestled in the spurs of South 
Mountain or at the base of the Blue Ridge, and 
in the fertile valleys between. As will be seen 
by the resume of its history, gathered mainly from 
Bates' History ofthePenna. Volunteers, its friends 
during its career had no lack of varied and exci- 
ting news. 

After muster-in the regiment under command 
ofthe regimental officers already named, proceeded 
to Washington on October 12, where, after a so- 
journ of a few days at the Capital, it was ordered 
to join the Eleventh Corps, then in the neigh- 
borhood of Gainesville, and was assigned to the 
First Brigade, First Division. On Sunday, No- 
vember 9, the brigade was ordered to Aldie, and 
remained there confronting the enemy until No- 
vember 18, when it moved to Chantilly. On De- 
cember 9th it was hurried forward by a most ex- 
hausting march to Stafford Court House, where 
it arrived December 16, the great Fredericksburg 
disaster of December 13 having meanwhile oc- 
curred. Here in picket and guard duty time 
passed until January 20, 1863, when it took part in 
the Mud March, and then settled into winter quar- 
ters near Potomac Creek bridge. Considerable 
sickness prevailed during the winter and some 
died, and others were permanently disabled. 



Northampton Welcomes Her Brave Sons. 






^ 




We hail the heroes' safe return 
To home and friends again, 
And mourn with tears of sympathy 
The gallant patriots slain. 



FOBM or RECEPTION BADGE 



CHANCELLORSVILLE. 
The regiment was early astir on April 27, and on April 30 at 4 p. m. arrived on the 
Chancellorsville battle ground, and after a quiet night's rest, and some movement during 



270 THE HISTORY OF 

Ma}- I to threatened points, it was stationed on the extreme right of the line of the army 
more as a close skirmish line than as a regular line of battle. While in this position, its 
men standing at ease, it was the first regiment to receive what proved to be the last mas- 
terly flank attack of Stonewall Jackson in massed columns. This was its first experience 
in battle, but it delivered a deadly volley, and then overpowered in front and upon both 
flanks, broke to the rear, and with the fragments of the brigade retired rapidly until it 
could reform on open ground to the west of Chancellorsville. Before the swooping charge 
of Jackson's heavy columns, formed as they were, they could not but be scattered as straws 
before a whirlwind. The regimental loss was heavy. Colonel Glanz was taken prisoner, 
and Lieutenant Colonel Dachrodt* wounded. Major FrueauflT, relieved at his request from 
staff duty, assumed command. In skirmish line the regiment was thrown out to meet the 
advancing enemy the next morning. Musketry and artillery firing continued throughout 
the day, but the brigade held its position until the night of May 5, when it withdrew with 
the army and returned to its camp at Potomac creek bridge. The regiment lost in the 
entire battle nineteen meu killed, three officers and fifty-three men wounded, and thirty- 
three prisoners. Of these Col. Glanz, captured, L,ieut. Col. Dachrodt, wounded. Major 
Frueauff, wounded ; Privates David Abel, Joseph Hetzler and Messiah Transue wounded ; 
Charles C. Warner, captured. All of Co. E were from Easton. 

GETTYSBURG. 

The march toward Pennsylvania commenced June 12, 1863, and on June 16, amid 
the great rejoicing of the men, Colonel Glanz rejoined the regiment, but was too much 
enfeebled bv the hardships of his imprisonment to resume command. On June 30 the corps 
had arrived at Emmittsburg, and on the following morning moved towards Gettysburg to 
the sound of the enemy's guns. The brigade passed through the town, at 1.30 p. M. 

Note. — Extract from a letter of Colonel Charles Glanz, headed Annapolis, May 27, 1863, and published in 
the Easton Free Press of June 4, 1863 : * * "At our retreat through the woods, which were covered 
with killed and wounded and swarming with the rebels advancing, I was surrounded, nearly at the edge of the 
woods, and near the new road which had been cut in the forenoon in case of retreat, and taken to a little farm- 
house in front of us and placed between the two chimneys under guard. * * j gat down worried and 
tired and thinking about my unpleasant position. The artillery was firing steadily and all at once the one 
chimney came crashing down and the heavy stones falling right and left and injuring my right ear and bruising 
my head. * * Shortly after I was taken with about fifty other captives eight miles to the rear. It was 
here I saw Gottlieb Heintzelman of South Easton, wounded by a shot through his breast. * * The 

rebel ladies, of whom there were six or seven at the house, addressed us prisoners in bitter terms, hoping this 
would be a good lesson for us, and that we would do better in the future and not come to Virginia again. The 
next morning we (now about three thousand) were marched at a quickstep about fifteen miles and then to Guin- 
ney's Station, and then taken to Richmond, at Libby Prison, on May 7, after receiving the most insulting lan- 
guage from women and boys and rowdy gents. ,\t Ashland they had posted about one hundred negro children 
to insult us, and the so-called ladies of this little aristocratic town were using the most abusive language toward 
us. We all considered.it beneath our dignity to notice such treatment." 

Colonel Charles Glanz was born at Walkenried, in the Dukedom of Brunswick, Germany, in 1823. He emi- 
grated to America in 1845 and after some staj' in Philadelphia and Pottsville, settled at Easton. In July, 1857, 
he was appointed Consul at Stettin, on the Baltic, but compelled by business growing at home resigned the posi- 
tion in 1859. His military record has been noted. Hedied in Easton July 25, 1880, and his remains were escorted 
to the cemetery by his old companions in arms, and his many personal friends who ever remember him as a 
genial whole-souled man. 

"Portraits of Col. Glanz and Lieut. Col. Dachrodt will be found on page 252 of this History. 



E ASTON, PENX'A. 271 

halted at the Poor House to deposit knapsacks, and was then ordered to advance at double 
quick and dislodge the enemy from a piece of woods to the right. The advance was made 
in gallant stvle, but the enemy in heavy force was advancing on all sides, and as it was 
losing fearfully, with no hope of advantage, the brigade was ordered back, and with the 
corps, soon afterward retreated through the town to take a position on Cemetery Hill. 
During the second day of July the artillery fire was very severe, and toward evening the 
enemy in a heavy column charged upon the position held by the brigade. In spite of the 
artillery fire and showers of bullets from well-poised muskets, on they came, crossing the 
low stone wall and rushing among the guns. It was now a hand-to-hand conflict. Clubs 
and stones were freely used when muskets were not available. A foremost rebel threw 
himself over the muzzle of a cannon, calling out " I take command of this gun." " Dit 
sollsi sie habeft''' was the curt reply of the sturdy German gunner, as he fired the piece, 
and blew him to atoms. Later it aided in the capture of two hundred and ninety prisoners 
and nearly three hundred stand of arms. The loss in the entire battle was one oflScer, Lieut . 
W. H. Beaver, and ten men killed, eight oflficers and one hundred and eight men wounded, 
and one hundred and eighty-eight men missing ; an aggregate of three hundred and eight. 
The casualties among the members of Company E were Captain John P. Ricker, wounded, 
Sergeant William F. Snyder, captured. Corporals Jacob Christian and Lewis Fraunfelder, 
wounded. Van Selan Walter and Noah Dietrich, captured, and Privates Sidney B. Brei- 
dinger, William Miller, killed, Joseph Andrew, Levi S. Brady, Tobias Bauer, Jacob Jacoby, 
Joseph Norton, John Stecker, Samuel B. Smith, Levi F. Walter and Peter Yeager, 
Jr., wounded. Christian Dick, William Deahl, George Heffling, Edward Hayden, Valen- 
tine Messinger, John S. Newbrandt, Frank Smith and Richard J. Walter, captured. 

The regiment marched by Emmittsburg to Funkstown in pursuit of the flying rebels. 
On Julv 14 orders were received for its discharge and it moved by Frederick City and Bal- 
timore to Harrisburg, where, on July 24, it was mustered out of service. Its brigade 
commander. Colonel Von Gilsa said, when taking leave of it : " I am an old soldier, but 
never did I know soldiers, who with greater alacrity and more good will endeavored to 
fulfil their duties. In the battle of Chancellorsville you, like veterans, stood your ground 
against fearful odds, and although surrounded on three sides, you did not retreat until by 
me commanded to do so. In the three days' battle of Gettysburg your behavior put many 
an old soldier to the blush, and you are justly entitled to a great share of the glory which 
my brigade has won for itself, by repulsing the two dreaded Tiger Brigades of Jackson. 
In the name of your comrades of the First Brigade and myself, I now bid you farewell." 

MUSTER ROLL CO. E, (COMPOSED OF EASTONL^NS) 153D P. V. 
(From Bates' History, P. V.) 

r«/>An«— John P. Ricker. Corporals— ]&coh Christian, 
First Lieutt'>ia}it—C\ir\&\\an H. Relifuss. " Lewis Fraunfelder, 

5ero«(//./c«/d'«rt«/— Jeremiah Dietrich. " Van Selan Walter, 

" Paul Bachschniid. " Nathaniel Michler, 

First Sergeants— TheoAore R. Combs, " Abraham G. Snyder, 

Andrew Burt, " George W. Snyder, 

.\dam Reisinger. " Noah Dietrich, 

Sergea>ils—\\\\\\a.m F. Snyder, " Edwin Brinker. 

.\ndrew J. Hay, Musicians — Samuel E. Lerch, 
" John Bittner, " Darius Thomas. 

" Amadeus D. Snvder. 



272 



THE HISTORY OF 



Joseph Andrew, 
David Abel, 
Reuben Abel, 
Levi S. Brady, 
Edward Boadwee, 
Samuel Ball. 
Edward Bonden, 
Thomas T. C. Brady. 
Tobias Bauer, 
Adam Bonden, 
Sidney R. Bridinger, 
Joseph Cole, 
Charles H. Derr, 
Christian Dick, 
William Dachrodt, 
William Dreahl, 
George Ellhart, 
William Entlich, 
Simon Engel, 
Edwin Ealer, 
Pearson Flight, 
Reuben Faucht, 
Peter Glass, 
William Geiger, 
Peter Hart, 
Joseph Hetzler, 



PRIVATES. 
John Q. Hay, 
George Heffling, 
Edward Hayden, 
Charles Immich, 
Jacob Jacoby, 
John Johnson, 
Thomas Kichliue, 
Moyer Kohu, 
John Kisselbach, 
William Koch, 
Edward Lear, 
Peter Lear, 
Francis Leidy, 
Valentine Messiuger, 
Aaron Messinger, 
John Mertz, 
William Martin, 
John H. Moser, 
Henry Mutchler, 
William Miller, 
William Moyer, 
John S. Newbrandt, 
Joseph Norton, 
Edward Osterstock, 
John J. Paxon, 
Emil Robst, 



Jacob Rasener, 
John A. Schug, 
John Stecher, 
Alexander Schug, 
August Stumpel, 
Samuel B. Smith, 
Frank Smith, 
John Saylor, 
William T. Sandt, 
Theodore Snyder, 
Theodore Schug, 
Messiah Transue, 
Geo. W. Vanosten, 
Richard J. Walter, 
Charles C. Warner, 
Abraham K. Woodriug, 
Levi F. Walter, 
James E. Wilson, 
Augustus Wagner, 
Ephraim Werkheiser, 
Isaac Writtenberg, 
Peter Yeager, Jr. 
Charles A. Vouch, 
John Young, 
John Zeller. 



WELCOME OF THE 153D REGIMENT. 

Saturday, July 25, 1862, was a day long to be remembered by the citizens of North- 
ampton County. On that day the friends of the 153d Regiment bade them " Welcome 
Home !" and gave them a reception worthy of their gallant deeds. We gather mainly 
from the History of Northampton County the following report of the reception : 

"On that day the people gathered together from their workshops, their stores and their 
farms to receive a gallant band of patriots, who, nine months before entered the service of 
their country to aid in crushing out the rebellion, and well did they act their part and 
nobly did they do their duty. Many a gallant member of that band who then left their 
homes, their firesides and their friends, with high hopes and expectations and looked for- 
ward to a safe return to that home and fireside 'now sleep that sleep that knows no 
waking' on the field of Chancellorsville, in Virginia, and on the bloody field of Gettys- 
burg, in his own native State, Pennsylvania. The thrill of jo)' the arrival of the regiment 
brought to some has been counter-balanced by the pangs of anguish it has brought to 
others, who have lost their friends and relatives — and they are many. At an early hour 
in the morning after it had been announced, on the previous ev'ening, that the regiment 
would arrive in Easton and handbills had been sent throughotit the county, the citizens of 
Easton began their preparations for making a grand display, and flags, banners, and ever- 
greens, were brought into requisition to add to the reception. At eight o'clock the town 
was decorated with flags from one end to the other, from the housetops and across the 
streets. The citizens began to fill the streets, and every avenne leading to Easton was 



EASTON, PENN'A. 273 

thronged with carriages, teams, omnibuses, etc., loaded with people from the country. 
The hotels were filled, and the conveyances blocked up the streets so much that pas- 
sage was next to an impossibility. The residences and stores along Northampton street 
were beautifully decorated with festoons of evergreens and mottoes of ' Welcome Home, 
Heroes of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg,' 'Gallant 153d,' 'Welcome Home,' &c. 
On the top of the hill, on Northampton street, large flags and banners entwined with 
evergreens, stretched from the opposite housetops to the large pole, made an imposing dis- 
play, as also at the stores of Mr. William H. Kunsman and others. As the time of the 
arrival of the train approached, everybody made for South Third street, and by the time 
the cars came in sight the street was a struggling mass of humanity. The Provost Guard 
and the soldiers under command of Captain Titus, endeavored to keep the streets clear, 
but it was an impossibility. 

" Many of the country people, in their anxiety to see their friends, also crowded across 
the bridge, and from the depot to the square at least five thousand persons had assembled. 
At 10 o'clock the cannon on Mt. Jefferson announced their arrival, and then the scene 
became indescribable. Such a rush and such a scramble for the depot we never beheld. 

' ' After the regiment had left the cars they marched to the South Easton road and formed 
into line, and headed by Colonel Glanz and several of the staff officers, they marched across 
the bridge, where they were received by the procession announced in the programme, and 
under the direction of the Chief Marshal, Thomas W. Lynn, and his assistant marshals, 
marched to the Square, around the Circle, and up Northampton street to the Fair building. 

" All along the route the streets, housetops, and windows were filled with people, and 
amid the waving of handkerchiefs and the loud huzzas their march was a perfe6l triumph, 
and calculated to cheer the hearts of the brave soldiers. Friends and relatives crowded 
in upon them, and to attempt to describe the affe(5lionate scenes along the route would be 
futile. The soldiers looked begrimed with war, fatigued and sunburnt, and presented a 
far different appearance to what they did when they left home. 

AT THE FAIR GROUND. 

" The procession entered and halted, the right extending toward the east gable of the 
building until the regiment and train of wounded passed in review and drew up in front 
of the speaker's stand, around which the vast crowd gathered. 

'' From this stand Hon. Philip Johnson delivered an address of welcome, from which 
we make the following extracts : 

" Officers and Men of the 153d Regiment : Ou behalf of your citizens of Northampton 
county I bid you a hearty welcome home. 

"Thrice welcome noble remnant of a brave and gallant band. 

" ' We hail the heroes' safe return, 
To home and friends again, 
And mourn with tears of sympathy. 
The gallant patriots slain.' 

" Little less than a year ago it was announced by the President of the United States 
that in order to fill up the ranks of the army it would be necessary for a draft to be made 
of a certain number of the able-bodied citizens of the several States. 



274 THE HISTORY OF 

" Pennsylvania was assigned her quota, and so of the several counties. Northampton 
had already given many of her brave sons to the war, and it was evident that the enforce- 
ment of a draft, at that season of the year, for the quota required, would be attended with 
a good deal of distress and very general inconvenience to our people. 

"At this crisis you came forward and magnanimously volunteered your services at 
once to relieve your fellow citizens of the draft and take their places in the army to fight 
their battles, endure whatever such service might impose, and above all to contribute 
your services and sufferings, your health, and, if need be, your lives to the support of the 
Constitution, the Government, and the Flag of your Country. 

"How you have discharged these duties, your decimated ranks, your tattered and 
torn banners, and your long train of scarred and wounded companions, and the bloody 
fields of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg too well disclose. 

"How your services are appreciated by your friends at home, this immense throng, 
summoned by a few hours notice of your arrival, at this busy season of the year, bears 
ample testimony. 

"Officers and men, one and all, once more I bid you a hearty welcome home. 

" At the conclusion of his speech he was heartly cheered. 

"Colonel Glanz, in reply, stated that the officers and men of the regiment were very 
grateful for the honor their fellow citizens had done for them, and he was very sorry that 
his health was so poor, and he was so much exhausted that he could not respond at length. 

" Edward J. Fox, Esq., Chairman of the Committee on Collation, then addressed the 
regiment, briefly alluding to the gallant manner in which they had volunteered to extend 
their term of service until the last rebel invader should be expelled from the State, and 
announced that their fellow citizens had prepared a collation for them which he invited 
them to partake of 

"Under the dire6lion of Major Thomas W. Lynn, Chief Marshal, the regiment then 
marched into the fair building and were seated ; the wounded unable to walk were carried 
in and cared for. 

"The collation, which was got up by the citizens, assisted by some of their country 
friends, and arranged by a committee of ladies, was a splendid affair, and consisted of 
poultrv and various meats, bread, butter, cheese, etc., with warm coffee, ice water, and 
lager beer. 

"The building is one hundred and sixty feet long, and there were four tables set, 
extending the whole length of the building, with seats upon each side of the tables. As 
soon as they were seated, Henry Green, Esq., who had been appointed to preside at the 
latter, proceeded to address them, but after a few minutes he remarked that he knew they 
had had nothing to eat since the evening previous, and inasmuch as he could not be at all 
satisfactorily heard because of the immense crowd of people that were gathered around 
them and into the second story of the building, he must not trespass upon them. A beautiful 
poem was written for the occasion by S. L. Cooley, Esq. We regret that its length will 
not permit its publication here. 

" It was with great diflliculty that the crowd could be kept out of the building so as to 
enable the ladies and gentlemen who waited upon the men to attend to their duties. A 
guard had to be stationed at the doors, and, although some of the country friends com- 
plained a little, it was a military necessity they had to submit to. 



276 THE HISTORY OF 

" After the regiment had finished their dinner, the returned vohinteers, under Captain 
Titus, and Provost Guard, Captain Maguire, and citizens generally, finished the feast. 

SWORD PRESENTATION TO COLONEL GLANZ. 

"The music of Coates' Cornet Band, upon the speaker's stand, then announced that 
something else was to be done, and soon the soldiers and citizens gathered around. 

" Here the splendid new sword, purchased by the regiment for Colonel Glanz, was 
formally presented to him, in behalf of the officers and men of the regiment, in a very 
neat and appropriate speech by Captain Howard J. Reeder, as follows : 

"Colonel : After sharing the perils and hardships of a soldiers' life for ten months 
we meet here this day for the purpose of saying farewell. We meet here as a regiment 
for the last time ; but, before we part, we desire to give this sword to our brave and noble 
commander, as a slight testimony of the high esteem and regard in which we hold him. 
The One Hundred and Fifty-third is now a thing that was. Its organization exists no 
longer ; but never will one member of that regiment forget its noble and gallant leader. 
Never/ I say, until the life-blood ceases to ebb and flow through the channels of his 
earthly frame. 

" Colonel — take this sword ; it comes from the living and the dead. In it, not only 
do the living speak their gratitude, but those who lie beneath the soil of Chancellorsville 
and Gettysburg, raise their voices from the hollow of their tomb, and ask not to be for- 
gotten. Nobly have you done your duty ; faithfully have you obeyed your country's call, 
and well do we know when we give this sword that it will never be sheathed in a just, 
and never unsheathed in an unjust cause. 

" On receiving the sword. Colonel Glanz responded in a feeling manner, assuring his 
command of his high regard for them, his appreciation of their handsome present, and 
the memories that he would carry through life of their glorious service, and happy days 
of comradeship. That he felt it to be a high honor, that although foreign born, he had 
been selected to command them, and regarded that moment as the proudest of his life. 

The large crowds of people gathered at so short notice and at such a busy season, 
proved in what estimate this regiment was held by the people of this county." 

THE DRAFT IN EASTON. 

The exigencies of the military service requiring more men, a draft for the district was 
held at Eastou, on Monday, September 28, 1863. The envelopes were drawn from the 
wheel by Mr. Charles Bixler, a blind man, in the presence of a committee, composed of 
members of both political parties, and the names were announced by the Provost Marshal, 
Samuel Yohe, to the crowd assembled, who took the matter very good naturedly. The local 
papers of the day published long columns of the names of the drafted men, and of those 
who were exempt by disability and other causes. The nation was in the third year of 
the war. Its novelty had passed away, and proclamations for volunteers and calls for 
drafts in the fall and winter of 1863 were expetled as certainly as the needs of the service 
would demand them ; and in Easton, as in most other parts of the North, were looked upon 
as so much business of the nation, to be transatted in an orderly and impartial manner. 
The Provost Marshal, Samuel Yohe, Commissioner of Board, Henry C. Wolfe, and other 
officers, were accorded great credit for firmness and impartiality. Great good humor, we 



EAST ON, PENN'A. 277 

are told, prevailed at the drawing, and whenever the name of a prominent individnal was 
announced, it was greeted with cheers and laughter. It was conducted on an elevated 
platform in front of the office of the Provost Marshal at the southeast corner of Fifth and 
Northampton streets, so that all who chose could witness it and see that it was fairly done. 

THANKSGIVING DINNER TO THE INVALID CORPS, NOVEMBER 26, 1863. 

On this day business of all kinds was suspended and appropriate religious services 
held in all the churches. News of a great vi6lory over the rebel General Bragg, and the 
capture of many prisoners and arms, had been received early in the day, and with the 
Gettysburg triumph fresh in memory, all felt thankful that the crisis of the war was over, 
and that the rebellion thenceforth would be stridlly defensive, and must dwindle to certain 
defeat. The many families, with representatives in the ranks, and the patriotic allusions 
of the ministers, rendered the services peculiarly impressive. Heavy contributions were 
taken for the benefit of the Union prisoners at Richmond. 

A sumptuous dinner was given by the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Church, 
assisted by ladies of other churches, to the invalid soldiers composing the Provost Guard 
stationed in Easton. It drew forth a hearty letter of thanks from the officers in com- 
mand, who stated that the Thanksgiving banquet at their barracks reminded them of 
their homes, and was an assurance that they were in the midst of friends. The kindly 
services of these ladies to the invalid soldiers were not limited to Thanksgiving day. 
They had been constant in their care of the sick and wounded of these soldiers of the 
Union, gathered from all commands, and unfit for attive field service. The street parades 
of these veterans were a marked feature of the time, and a constant reminder of the great 
army in the front, from which from time to time, they had been detached by reason of 
wounds and other disabilities. 

RETURN OF THE 51ST P. V. VETERANS TO RECRUIT. 

In February, 1864, this regiment was ordered to Harrisburg to fill its ranks, depleted 
in the numerous engagements and severe campaigning of its long and honorable service. 
Companies B and K, with part of Company H, recruited in Easton, on their return on 
Tuesday evening, February 9, 1864, received a most flattering welcome. The Easton 
men in Company H had been recruited by Captain George Finley, who, when the regi- 
ment was being organized had endeavored to raise a third company from the borough. 
Upon failure to secure the requisite number of men they were consolidated with others 
from Union county, into Company H, under command of Captain J. Merrill Linn, of 
Lewisburg. 

They were met at the depot by a large body of citizens, headed by Coates" Cornet 
Band, and escorted to Centre Square amid firing of cannon and ringing of church bells. 
Flags waved from the houses, and an immense throng crowded the streets to greet the 
returning heroes. After an appropriate welcome by Colonel W. E. Doster, a collation 
was given to them at the Phoenix Hall, whither they were condudled and where they were 
again welcomed by Samuel L. Cooley, Esq. The substantials were heartily discussed by 
the soldierly looking men, and they separated highly pleased with their reception. 

Again they were handsomely entertained at a banquet at Masonic Hall, on Friday, 
February 12, presided over by Hon. H. D. Maxwell. The Judge was heartily cheered 



278 



THE HISTORY OF 



during his speech on taking the chair, and tlie numerous toasts to the valor of the men 
were eloquently responded to by Hon. A. H. Reeder and others. The large attendance 
of citizens was loud in applause of the many incidents of their varied service since the 
departure of the volunteers, with the lamented Captain Ferdinand W. Bell, September 14, 
1861. The muster rolls given are taken from Captain Parker's History of the regiment. 



COMPANY B. 



Ca/i/a/n— Ferdinand VV. Bell. 
" Daniel L. Nicholas. 

First Lieutenant — ^John H. Genther. 

Valentine Stocker. 
Second Lieutenant — Robert M. Burrell. 

" " John W. Meeker. 

First Sergeant — Samuel A. Apple. 
Sergeants — John W. Beam. 
" Alson Stocker. 

" Conrad Swazer. 

" Charles S. Knauss. 

" William J. Osterstock. 

" George W. Arndt. 

Corporals — John M. Wein. 



Josiah Ackernian, 
Edward Apple, 
Joseph Arnold, 
William All>erl, 
John F. Ackerman, 
Harrison Ackerman, 
William Andrews, 
Adam Buzzard, 
John W. Brunner, 
Abraham Babp, 
William H. Bachman, 
William L. Bowman, 
John Burns, 
George Boswell, 
Sebastian Bring, 
James Bisbing, 
William H. Brittain, 
John H. Buck, 
John Bowes, 
William H. Butz, 
Jackson Bullman, 
Philip Bond, 
Jonathan Brook, 
Charles Brown, 
James Bridges, 
William Colbath, 
Jeremiah Cheney, 
John L. Clifton, 
Philip Curlz, 
Israel Crocket, 
Allen J. Clifton, 
John Coff, 
George Crawford. 
Charles H. Chambers, 
Reuben Dutter, 



PRIVATES. 
Charles N. Gosner, 
John B. Godley, 
Lewis Group, 
Jacob Haas, 
William Haas, 
Edward Hill, 
Benjamin Hively, 
Edward Hardy, 
William Hufsmith, 
Theodore F. Hi.xon, 
Michael Henning, 
Charles Hiney, 
Jeremiah Haines, 
John A. Halsted, 
William Henning, 
John A. Innes, 
John Judge, 
Charles W. Kinsey, 
Reuben Kresge, 
John Kustetor, 
Chris. Knauss, 
Emanuel Kresge, 
Lewis Kross, 
John A. Lee, 
John Lee, 
Thomas Leary, 
Aaron Lottig, 
Samuel Mershon, 
Thomas Marsteller, 
Thomas P. Miller, 
Chris. B. Myers, 
Peter Myers, 
Philip M. MeUler, 
Henry Mi.xell, 
William Moore, 



Corporals — Philip .A. Barnet. 
George Johnson. 

" Milton Ackerman. 

" Enos Schock. 

" Samuel F. Knapp. 

" Henry Schooley. 

" Benjamin F. .Ackerman. 

" Matthew Delaney. 

" Thompson Ackerman. 

" Samuel Moore. 

" Edward Bullman. 

" George W. Moser. 

Musicians — John D. Knauss. 

" Aimer Neigh. 

Adam Ruft', 
Charles Reed, 
John Seibert, 
Charles Sharp, 
Peter Scott, 
Henry Scott, 
Henry Samuels. 
James Shull, 
Andrew Snyder, 
Edwin P. Snyder. 
William Stocker, 
Stephen Smith, 
Abraham Shook, 
John S. Samsell, 
Simon Searfoss, 
William Searfoss, 
Henry Steinhoff, 
John H. Schooley, 
James Snedeker, 
Jacob H. Sweeney, 
Charles Sheets, 
Thomas Sletor, 
William A. Smith, 
William Shick, 
John H. Seiple, 
Rudolph Steiner, 
William F. Strattford. 
John Stone, 
William Stewart, 
William L. Si^yder, 
Joseph Titus, 
William Tomer, 
Henry Thompson, 
.Aaron Thatcher, 
Thomas I'nangst. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



279 



William H. Diehl, 
John H. Diehl, 
George Dulot, 
Courtland Dutt, 
Uriah Dole, 
George Dean, 
William Draher, 
Lawrence H. Delly, 
John Eichlin. 
William D. Everett, 
Joel L. Everett, 
Reading Fluck, 
Henry Furich, 
Peter Frautz, 
Gabriel Fay, 
Henry Gregory, 
Jacob W. Gosner, 
Daniel H. Gerhart, 
Jacob Gamber, 



Captain — John E. Titus. 

William S. Mellick. 
First Lieutenant — Jacob Fryburger. 

" " Jacob Hawk. 

First Sergeant — Daniel W. Eichman. 
Sergeants — John C. Dittler. 
Theo. Moser. 
" Uriah F. Dean. 

" Franklin S. Mover. 



Amandus Atlee, 
George Buss, 
Henry A. Daily, 
Jacob Fortner, 
Henry Gangwere, 
Frank T. Grube, 
Daniel Herzog, 



PRIVATES— Continued. 

Thomas Moser, 
Thomas Miller, 
John Miller, 
Patrick McDonald, 
Titus McFall, 
Wilson McKeighan, 
T. J. Nicholas, 
Charles Newsbaum, 
John Nugent, 
John Obenholzer, 
James Pettit, 
George Paul, 
Henry Poff, 
William O. Rauch, 
John B. Reigle, 
Thomas P. Rickets, 
Charles Ricker, 
Benjamin J. Reily, 
Joshua Raub, 

COMPANY K. 



PRIVATES. 

George V. Holden, 
Edward H. Patterson, 
John Ritter, 
Philip Richards. 
Erwin Richards, 
Francis Reedy, 
Samuel G. Stidinger, 



Daniel W. Vannatta, 

Nicholas Woodring, 
Thomas Williamson, 
Gabriel Z. Wacht, 
Calvin L. Weaver, 
John Weidknecht, 
S. C. Weidknecht, 
Edward Weiss, 
Hiram Woodring, 
Henry Warner, 
George Walters, 
Samuel Warner, 
Cyrus Werkheiser, 
John Wilson, 
Isaac Wilson, 
Francis Young. 
Lewis H. Young, 
Stelio Zamaria. 



Corporals — Theo. Odenwelder. 
Francis Ludwig. 
" Francis Tro.xell. 

" Jacob F. Cole. 

John P. Huber. 
" John Sutton. 

" Jacob Tro.xell. 

" Daniel Troxell. 

Philip Richards. 



Frederick Schwep, 
Daniel Scheeks, 
Christian Scheeks, 
Lewis Singer, 
William H. Vogel, 
William Yates. 



As the names of the original members of the above companies disappeared from the 
rolls in the casualties of their long and severe campaigning their places were filled with 
new men, many of whom had been drafted. This will account for the long roll of Com- 
pany B. Scattered through the other company rolls of the regiment the names of Easton 
volunteers appear. Company E, Dietrich Beckmau and others not designated. 



REGIMENTAL RECORD. 

The 51st P. V. was organized at Harrisburg, late in September, 1861, under the 
supervision of Colonel John F. Hartranft, au officer who rose through his fine soldierly 
qualities and distinguished record to be a Major General of volunteers, and in civil life, 
subsequently, was twice elected Governor of the Commonwealth. 

The regiment left Camp Curtin, November 18, 1861, and until its embarkation with 
the Burnside Expedition on January 6, 1862, was quartered near Annapolis and en- 
gaged in constant drill under the eye of its a6live and skilful commander. In the 



28o THE HISTORY OF 

engagement on Roanoke Island, the Newbern Expedition, and the movement near Eliza- 
beth City, Companies B and K were a(?tive and with the regiment took part in the second 
Bull Run battles, and on September 3, marched through Washington for the Antietam 
campaign. Its part in the South Mountain fight and the great battle of Antietam, on 
September 17, and its famous storming of the Bridge, are bright pages in the history of 
the war. The gallant charge at Fredericksburg, in which Captain Ferdinaud W. Bell 
fell at the head of his command, was its last fight with the Army of the Potomac, before 
its departure for Kentucky, on March 25, 1863. 

Captain Parker in his interesting history of the 51st P. V. says of this Fredericksburg 
battle, "The position assigned the regiment was direcflly in face of more than a mile of 
earthworks, behind which lay thousands of rebels, who kept up incessant volleys of mus- 
ketry, and their batteries, volleys of grape and canister, to say nothing of the rifle shells 
that passed through the ranks, and went screeching and whizzing through the air. It 
was here that Captain Ferdinand W. Bell, of Company B, was killed, whose loss was most 
seriously felt by all in the regiment, and particularly in his company. He was an ac- 
complished and unassuming gentleman, a good disciplinarian, a true patriot, and as 
fearless as he was gentle." 

The same book, in referring to the skirmish drill and bayonet exercise by regiment and 
company, praises Company B, and its Captain, as follows: "There did not exist a com- 
pany in the whole expedition (Roanoke) that could vie with Captain Bell's Company B, 
in the bayonet exercise. Every lunge, parry and carte, were performed with so much 
promptness and precision, that it looked more like automatic machine work than that of 
men moving by will. Other companies also did well, especially Company D, but none 
had the training that Company B had, nor did another drill-master exist in the regiment, 
as was Ferdinand W. Bell ; very explicit in his instructions, firm in his commands, cor- 
real in his orders and movements, and who could not be persuaded to believe a soldier had 
a right to make a mistake, and so heartily did his ' boys ' concur in his opinions that they 
made no mistakes.'' 

On December 14, 1862, the day after the death of Captain Bell, his place was filled 
by the promotion of Lieutenant Daniel L,. Nicholas,* who had served in the First U. S. 
Dragoons in the Mexican War, and who was an earnest and heroic soldier. Under his 
command the company did its full share in the great battles which won for the regiment 
the sobriquet of "The Fighting Fifty-first." 

Lieutenant John H. Genther was transferred to the Quartermaster's Department, with 
the rank of Captain. 

In the historic siege of Vicksburg, and campaigning about Knoxville, time passed 
tintil January 5, 1864, when it re-enlisted and returned home on a veteran furlough. Its 
subsequent career, as a Veteran regiment, was no less distinguished. Returning with 
recruited ranks, on May 5, 1864, it crossed the Rapidan to enter upon the stubborn and 
successful fighting under Grant, in the great movement by the left flank to Cold Harbor. 
On June 17, it was in front of Petersburg, and at once was engaged at close quarters, at 
one time for seventeen successive days and nights, in an unceasing fire of musketry, one- 
third of the men being constantly employed. It was part of the storming column at the 

* Captain Nicholas died November 3, 1887, and was buried on the Sunday following with the honors of war 
by his comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic. 



EASTO.\\ PENN'A. 281 

Crater, inarched to the relief of the ill-fated Warren in August, was in the final attack of 
April 2, 1865, which resulted in the fall of Richmond, and closed the most brilliant of 
regimental careers, on July 27, when after four years of arduous duty, extending over 
the whole line from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, it was mustered out of service at 
Alexandria, \'irginia. 

CASUALTIES AMONG THE EASTON VOLUNTEERS. 

Company B. — Killed, Captain Ferdinand W. Bell ; Corporal Edward Bullman. Privates, killed, John F. 
Ackerman, Harrison Ackennan, Philip Bond, William Dreher, Wm. F. Stratford, Cyrus Werkheiser. Wounded, 
Corporal Charles W. Kinsey- Privates, wounded, Henry Furich, Gabriel Fay, Edward Hardy, George Paul. 
Captured, Corporal, Matthew Delany ; privates, William Albert, Jonathan Brook, George Crawford, Courtlandt 
Dutt, Lewis Group, Henry Meixsell. 

Company E. — ^Wounded, Sergeant George Diehl. 

Covipany H. — Wounded, Corporal H. J. Lingerman. Wounded, Private .\nthony Weisiiibach. 

CoDipany K. — Wounded, First Lieutenant, Jacob Fryberger. Killed, Sergeant Franklin S. Moyer; Cor- 
poral, Jacob Troxell. Wounded, Corporal, Theodore Odenwelder, John P. Huber. Privates, killed, Frederick 
Schwep, Daniel Scheeks Privates, wounded, Jacob Fortner, William T. Rundis, Alfred Schilling, John Wine- 
gardeu, William Yates. 

RECEPTION OF COMPANY E, I2TH PENNA. RESERVES, OR 4 1 ST P. V. 

The survivors of this gallant band were accorded a most hearty and enthusiastic 
reception by the citizens of Easton, on Tuesday evening, June 14, 1864. Coates' Cornet 
Band headed the procession from the depot, and the veterans, many of whom were suf- 
fering from wounds, were seated in carriages kindly furnislied by the Seitz Brothers. 
After marching through the principal streets, a halt was made in front of White's Hotel 
in the northeast corner of the Square, where they were welcomed in a very neat and 
appropriate speech by Colonel Baldy. After cheers for the veterans, the Governor, and 
the President, there was a general handshaking between the soldiers and the citizens. 

Reference has already been made in these pages to the origin and record of the 
Reserves. Under the recruiting of Captain John J. Horn, and Lieutenant afterwards by 
promotion. Captain Francis Schelling, who had seen service in the nth U. S. Infantry 
in the Mexican War, and Lieutenant Edward Kelly, volunteers were raised in Easton, 
who, on the organization of the regiment, 41st P. V., called 12th Pennsylvania Reserves, 
July 25, 1861, formed Company E, whose muster roll we have already given with the 
notice of their departure for Camp Curtin. After some days guard duty about the public 
buildings in Harrisburg the regiment was ordered to join the Third Brigade of the 
Reserves at Tenallytown, near Washington. This it did on August 20, 1861, and was 
engaged in camp drills until October 10, when it marched into Virginia, and on December 
20 joined in the advance on Drainesville, where it was engaged with slight loss. On 
March 10, with the army, it moved towards Manassas, and on the retreat of the rebels, 
bivouacked, without shelter, and exposed to intense cold and rain and snow storms. 
After doing some detached guard service the regiment, on May 6, joined its division at 
Falmouth. The Peninsular campaign had now opened, and the Reserves were conveyed 
by transports to the White, on June 14, and after picket duty and marching, on the morn- 
ing of the 26th assisted in driving the rebels back by their steady fire at Ellerson's Mill, 
near Cold Harbor. Colonel Taggart of the 12th held his position until near daylight and 
then withdrew under orders. Two davs later, the men from constant alarms, having had 



282 THE HISTORY OF 

little sleep or refreshment, the regiment moved to Gaiue's Mills, and nnder a heavy fire 
for three hours defended the guns and drove the rebels back. Next morning it moved, 
guarding long lines of the Reserve artillery, and at night was on picket duty near the 
James river. Next day saw it near Malvern Hill where it arrived at daybreak, after a 
hand to hand conflidl with the rebels, who poured upon its flanks in immense force. 
Here in reserve they saw the heavy shells thrown far inland from the gun boats, the suc- 
cessive rebel charges, and the deadly fire from the Reserve batteries. On the repulse of 
the rebels, the Reserves again on transports, joined the army of General Pope, and took 
part with great credit in the second Bull Run battle, and on September 17, under General 
McClellan on the field of Antietam. The Reserves were seledled to lead in the advance 
upon the rebel lines and were engaged in heavy skirmishing on the Bowling Green road. 
The loss to the regiment here was heavy. In February, 1863, the regiment, now much 
reduced, occupied the defences of Washington, and for six weeks performed provost duty 
in that city. It joined the main army moving on Gettysburg at Frederick, and reached 
that field at 10 a. m. on July 2, and was hurriedly moved to the vicinity of Little Round 
Top. After frequent change of position during the afternoon in support of troops it com- 
menced and completed during the night a stone wall conne6ling the summit of Round 
Top with that of Little Round Top. The enemy could be distindlly heard at the same 
time building a parallel wall near the foot of the hill. This was held during the next 
day, in full view of the charge of cavalry under General Kilpatrick on the left, and the 
rebel General Pickett's grand charge upon the left centre. On the morning of the 4th 
rebel bayonets gleamed above the stone wall, but the rebels themselves had departed, and 
the ruse was soon dete<5led and the muskets brought in. Pursuit commenced upon the 
5th, and in the campaign following, the 12th was engaged at Bristow Station on 06lober 
14, Rappahannock Station on November 19, and Mine Run on November 26. 

The winter passed in duty on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, in 
close picket duty and with frequent skirmishes. In May, 1864, with recruited ranks it 
entered upon the Wilderness campaign, and was closely engaged in its heavy fights until 
May 30, 1864, when its time expired, and it was ordered to Harrisburg, where, on June 
II, 1864, it was mustered out after three years of faithful service. 

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Baldy, promoted from Major, August i, 1862, was dis- 
charged, by reason of absence through sickness, February 15, 1863. 

Captain John J. Horn, in delicate health at his entry into service, was disabled to 
such a degree by its hardships as to be compelled to resign, February 17, 1862. 

CASUALTIES AMONG THE EASTON VOLUNTEERS. 

Company E. — Wounded, Captain Francis Schelling, Lieutenant Edward Kelly ; Sergeants, William Ruch, 
James Johnston, William F. Keller, William R. Kidd. Corporals, killed, George Darhammer, George Ketch- 
ledge, J. H. Messinger, William J. Kuchner ; wounded, Daniel H. Laubach. Privates, killed, Robert G. 
Barnes, Thomas Duffin, Charles Custard, William Dice, Josiah Edelman, Landers Everett, David H. Graham, 
Matthew Haas, William Handwork, Edward Leidy, George A. Miller, Paul Roth, Thomas Ruth, George Walls ; 
wounded, James Devine, John May, Aaron E- Beisel, Leopold Beck 

180TH REGIMENT PENNA. VOLUNTEERS — 19TH PENNA. CAVALRY. 

In an engagement at Franklin, Tenn., in December, 1864, Captain Frank Reeder of 
this regiment was wounded. He was on January 26, 1865, promoted to Lieutenant 



EASTON, PENN\4. 



283 



Colonel, and later by order of the War Department to Brev'ct Brigadier General. Its 
Major, Norman M. Finlay, discharged July 23, 1864, and First Lieutenant, Jonathan L. 
Fackenthall, who died at Memphis, on December 5, 1864, of disease contra6led in service, 
were also from Easton, as were others whose names are scattered through the muster rolls 
of the different companies. The regiment was recruited in the summer and fall of 1863, 
at Camp Stanton, in Philadelphia, and upon its organization in November was ordered to 
Washington, and was shortly after forwarded to the army in the west. 

It was engaged in a<?tive campaigning while operating on the flank of General Sher- 
man's army in the movement against Vicksburg, and rendered efficient service in the des- 
truction of supplies intended for the 
rebel army. In April, 1864, b)' a suc- 
cession of rapid attacks, it delayed the 
rebel General Forrest in his march in 
force to Fort Pillow, but could not, by 
reason of its small number, prevent that 
shameless massacre. On July 4, it 
moved to Vicksburg, and thence to 
Little Rock, against the rebel General 
Sterling Price, and participated in en- 
gagements at Marion, Greensboro, Pilot 
Knob, Osage, and the Big Blue River. 
A sabre charge of the 19th had much 
to do with the latter vi<5lory. After 
lively campaigning on the flank of the 
rebel General Hood it made a number 
of noted charges. One was memorable 
for the enthusiasm infused among the 
brave sabreurs by the music of " Rally 
Round the Flag, Boys" played by all 
the bands of the division, as it started 
in its successful onslaught upon the 
enemy. At Franklin, the driven enemv 
again made a determined stand behind 
a stone wall, but were flanked and 
again forced to retreat. In this fight 
three stands of colors and three hun- 
dred and fifty prisoners were captured, 
and among the wounded was Captain Frank Reeder. The rebel pursuit continued until 
they were finally defeated at Sugar Creek, in which fight the 19th dismounted, co-opera- 
ted with other forces. 

While in camp at Gravelly Springs, Alabama, a battalion of six companies was formed 
of the regiment decimated by heavy losses in battle and through disease, and on February 
8, 1865, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Reeder, it embarked at Eastport 
for New Orleans, and arrived there on March 9, and moved to Baton Rouge where it was 




Frank Reeder, 
Lt. Col. 19th Pa. Cavalry. Br. Brig. General V. 



284 



THE HISTORY OF 



engaged in scouting and picket duty. Here on June 13 it was consolidated into four 
companies, and on July 25 defeated a detachment of the rebel Wirt Adams' command at 
Clinton. Until March it was employed in service against guerillas at different points, 
defeating them with heavy loss in January, 1866, and after performance of provost duty 
in New Orleans was on May 14, 1866, mustered out of service. Its loss in killed and 
wounded and disabled men in its varied campaigning was heavy. 

FORTY-SEVENTH PENNA. VOLUNTEERS. 

In the midst of a snow storm on December 20, 1864, this regiment, in whose ranks 
were two Companies, A and E, of Easton volunteers, marched through Winchester, Va., 
and went into winter quarters at Camp Fairview, near Charlestown. It had taken part 
in the grand movement of "Cavalry Sheridan," which turned defeat into vicftory and 
sent the rebel General Early "whirling up the valley" in 06lober, 1864, and was compli- 
mented on the field by General Thomas for its gallant stand at Cedar Creek. Besides the 
volunteers recruited in Easton by Captains Richard A. Graeffe and Charles H. Yard, it 
had taken with it into service on its muster rolls in September, 1861, all of the members 
of Pomp's Cornet Band, an organization that had been from 1850 the life of the street 
parades of the borough, and was widely known for its high grade of music and artistic 
execution. Its director, Thomas Coates, to whom this reputation was due, besides being 
a performer of skill was a composer of celebrity, and many airs listened to in great cities 
by applauding crowds, were heard for the first time, and with favor, upon the streets of 
Easton. We give the rolls of the band and of the two Easton companies, as they appear 
in Bates' History P. V. 

MUSTER ROLL OF REGIMENTAL BAND, 47TH P. V. 

Principal Musicians. — Wm. A. Heckman, Daniel D. Dachrodt 

Leader of Batid. — Thomas Coatea. 

Musicians. — John Alele, Gilbert M. Bissell, VV'm. Q. Brotzman, Charles Eichman, Peter Garrecht, Henry Heusner, 
Frederick L. Jacobs, Henry H. M'Neal, William H. Nagle, Wm. H. Pomp, Sr., Wm. H. Pomp, Jr., Aaron Peterson, 
John Rupp, Mitch. J. Solomons, Peter Schwentzer, Edward F. Seigfried, James Tarrant, I. Eugene Walter. 



MUSTER ROLL OF CO. A AND E, 47TH P. V. 



COMPANY A. 



Captains — Richard A. Graeffe, 

" Adolphus Dennig. 

First Lieutenant — James F. Myers, 

" " John H. Stein. 

Second Lieutenant — William W. Belles, 
First Sergeant — Nicholas Reiser. 
Sergeants — Fran. Mittenberger, 
Peter Batt, 
" Amos Jumper, 

William Hall, 
" Frederick Hubel, 

" Bernard Brahler, 

" William Ferer, 

Corporals — Charles Glasser, 
Max Slimmer, 



Corporals — Samuel Vonkins, 

" Levi Fraunfelder, 

" Reuben Raider, 

" Jacob Kohler, 

" James Haney, 

" Frederick Kagely, 

" Amandus Sandt, 

" George Rice, 

" William Sweitzer, 

" John Savitz, 

" Jacob Beck, 

" Adam Lawrence, 
Musicians — Jacob Daub, 

" Wm. Williamson. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



285 



Robert Adams, 
John Alder, 
Michael Andrews, 
Jacob M. Bower, 
James Barnett, 
Samuel Bauman, 
Joseph B. Bower, 
.Anthony B. Bush, 
Daniel Battaghlia, 
William Borman, 
David R. Bills, 
Martin Baker, 
Andrew Bellis, 
George Bohn, 
Thomas J. Bower, 
Samuel E. Bridinger, 
George Bolian, 
Jeremiah Billheimer, 
Tobias Bower, 
Amandus Bellis, 
Lewis Bower, 
John Brensinger, 
John Bush, 
Elias Berlin, 
John Cohler, 
Jacob Cassler, 
Charles Coleman, 
Daniel S. Crawford, 
William Daub, 
Thomas Duffert, 
Michael Delaney, 
Samuel Danner, 
Charles Detweiler, 
John Deverin, 
Emanuel Eichman, 
John H. Everett, 
Henry Engle. 
Martin Eppler, 
Jacob Eckert, 
John Eppler, 
William Pagan, 
R. Fraunfelder, 
John W. Furman, 
Peter Fahey, 
Isaac Fleishhower, 
Abraham Fleisher, 
Adolphus Finster, 
Allen Faber, 
Daniel Friedewald, 
Clements Goodyear, 
Christian Gresser, 
Edwin T. Greening, 
Lewis Gebhart, 
Solomon Guildner, 
Hugo Goltz, 
Lawrence Gatence, 
Joseph Goodyear, 
George Hare, 



PRIVATES. 

Lewis Hohn, 
George W. Hall, 
Jacob Herbert, 
Reuben Hartzell, 
George Hyde, 
Joseph Harle, 
Christian Haldeman, 
John Hawk, 
Willoughby Haffner, 
Reinhold Hohn, 
Sidney Hahn, 
Nicholas Hoffman, 
Henry Hartman, 
John Q. Hay, 
Peter A. Henkle, 
John J. Jones, 
Richard Koenig, 
Stephen Knecht. 
Matthias Krotz, 
Missouri Kretzler. 
Peter Kern, 
John Krouenbetter, 
Myer Kohn, 
Henry Kline, 
Joseph Kline, 
Tilghnian Keim, 
Frederick Keiser, 
James M. Keifer, 
Ambrose Koch, 
William S. Keen, 
Edwin Kidd, 
Owen C. Laub, 
Wm. Laughran, 
Peter Lewis, 
Moritz Lazius, 
Mahlon Raub, 
Henry Lingaman, 
Charles Lear, 
Augustus Loeffelman, 
Albert Like, 
Joseph Miller, 
John Muhl. 
Samuel Meyers, 
Daniel Moyer, 
George MuUer, 
Joseph W. Myers, 
Joseph E. Messinger, 
Frederick E. Meyer, 
Stephen Moyer, 
Edward M'Glynn, 
Daniel M'Calla, 
Anton Muck, 
James R. Meldrum, 
Charles Miller, 
Francis Marsh, 
Christian Newhaus, 
Abraham Osterstock, 
Thos.H. O'Donald, 



John J. Paxson, 
Thos. C. Patterson, 
William Pucker, 
John Price, 
Jacob Paulas, 
John Paulus, 
John Phleger, 
F'rederick Roesler, 
John Rupp, 
Thomas Rewark, 
Samuel Remaley, 
Powel Rarick, 
Charles Rufe, 
John Ross, 
Ferdinand Reel, 
W'. H. Richardson, 
David Strauss, 
Peter C. Sleath, 
Edwin Schweitzer, 
Edwin C. Sandt, 
John Stem, 
Jefferson Stem, 
John Schlamb. 
Sidney Sandt, 
Llewellyn Sandt, 
Ira Schofield, 
Fred Sheniger, 
Nathan Seigfried, 
Stephen Schmidt, 
Peter Sandt, 
Wm. Schlechter, 
Charles Schnable, 
Matthias Stortz, 
John Schweitzer, 
Charles Stump, 
Lewis Schmohl, 
Lewis Sponheimer, 
Josiah Stocker, 
Josiah Sleeper, 
Theodore Sigman, 
Benneville Seibert 
John Sailor, 
John Tagg, 
Andrew Thoman, 
Jacob Trabold, 
Charles Unangst, 
John Unangst. 
Enos Unangst, 
John White, 
David Warrick, 

E. Werkheiser, 

F. Williamson, 
J. J. Werkheiser, 
Charles Weidknecht, 
Stephen Walter, 
Lewis Werkheiser, 
J. Williamson, 
Henry E. Wagner. 



286 



THE HISTORY OF 



Captain — Charles H. Yard. 

William A. Bachman. 
First Lieutenant — Lawrence Bonstein. 

" " George A. Dielil. 

Second Lieutenant — William H. Wyker. 

" " Edw. W. Menner. 

First Sergeant — George R. Nicholas. 

" " George Hahn. 

" " Adam Ward. 

" " William Rockafellow. 

" " Benjamin Derr. 



COMPANY E. 

First Sergeant — Owen J. Weida. 

William R. Cahill. 
" " Jacob F. Bonstein. 

" " Samuel H. Barnes. 

" " Francis A. Parks. 

Corporal — George Steinmetz. 
" Thomas Callahan. 

" John F. Walton. 

" Owen Moser. 

" Moses Jacoby. 

" Henry Hallman. 



William Adams, 

Peter F. Allen, 

Henry L. .Arnold, 

Charles Arnold, 

Henry Bassett, 

H. Bartholomew, 

David Broat, 

Isaac Biirk, 

John D. Black. 

Joseph Brown, 

John Bruch, 

Andrew Bucher, 

Henry L. Beavers, 

Henry A. Bachman, 

M. Berksheimer, 

George W. Brooks, 

Andrew Burk, 

Thomas Bullman, 

George Benedict, 

Samuel Batt, 

Henry S. Coburn, 

Edward Clark, 

John Callahan, 

John Cnmmiskey, 

Jeremiah Cooper, 

George Coult, 

John Conigan, 

James Creig, 

John Cramer, 

Jacob Dean, 

William Deterline, 

Nathan Derr, 

Charles Dewey, 

John Dingier, 

Henry Duffin, 

Franklin Edinger, 

Joseph Engle, 

Edward A. Frey, 

George Fritz, 

Gideon Fritz, 

Peter Flynn, 

Charles H. Frey, 

George M. Falger, 

William H. Fowler, 

William A. Force, 

L. Frankenfield, 

Benjamin Fitzcharles, 

George Frederick, 

Reuben Golio, 

Oliver Graver, 

John Goodman, 

William Helwick, 
The length of the above company rolls is 
the case of the Easton companies of the 51st 
the omission of any worthy volunteers. 



PRIVATES. 

Luther Horn, 
Daniel W. Hull, 
James Hughes, 
George Hahn, 
Jeremiah Haney. 
Daniel Houser, 
Henry H. Horn, 
Adam P. Heckman, 
Samuel T. Hudson, 
David W. Huber, 
Jacob Haggertv, 
Charles H. Hubbard, 
Richard Hahn, 
William Haggerman, 
Daniel F. Harkins, 
Jacob Hartzell, 
William Ivey, 
James Ihrie, 
Benjamin F. Jones, 
William M. James, 
Abraham Jacobus, 
W. Scott Johnson, 
Peter Kerkendall, 
John Kunker, 
J. M. Kerkendall, 
Henry Kern, 
Matthias Kirkuff, 
Philip Keaf, 
John F. Krader, 
Henry A. Labar, 
Andrew J. Lynn, 
George Long, 
Samuel L. Lantz, 
George W. Lantz, 
George W. Levers, 
John Lind, 
Luther Labar, 
Daniel Lamb, 
John Monday, 
Eli Moser, 
Henry Moyer, 
A. M'Laughlin, 
Henry Miller, 
Patrick Monday, 
Grenville Moore, 
Lawrence Moser, 
Philip L. Moser, 
John B. Mickley, 
Samuel Minnich, 
John M'Laughlin, 
Franklin Moser, 



Corporal — ^John Woolbach. 

" Isaac Smith. 

" George Twaddle. 

"^ Reuben Weiss. 

" Thomas Lowery. 

" William H. Eichman. 

" James Huff. 

*' Peter Lyner. 

" Frederick J. Scott. 

Musician — William Wilhelm. 

" James Quinn. 



Alvin M. Meeker, 
Jacob Ocho, 
John Peterson, 
William Peterson, 
William Pa.\son, 
Calvin Reed, 
J. Rockafellow, 
G. Rockafellow, 
Joseph A. Rogers, 
Jacob Rinek, 
Henry Rinek, 
J. J. Richards, 
George B. Rose, 
Frank Simons, 
John Shoeman, 
Joseph Slayer, 
Martin S. Schoch, 
Edward Smith, 
Valentine Smith, 
John Smith, 
Samuel Stem, 
Edward E. Snyder, 
Andrew Spangler, 
Charles Steinmetz, 
Fred. Seabold, 
Richard Shelling, 
George Snyder, 
George Smith, 
Edward L. Snyder, 
Thomas Snyder, 
Charles Shaffer, 
Aug. Templin, 
John Tidabach, 
James Todd, 
John Taylor, 
Joseph A. Tice, 
Alfred J. Tidabach, 
Theodore Tro.xell, 
Samuel Transue, 
George L. Tilton, 
George Vogel, 
Albert Wagner, 
Joseph E. Walters, 
John Wilhelm, 
Charles Wolf, 
William H. Wright, 
William Ward, 
Josiah Weaver, 
Henry Worman, 
George Young, 
Bernard Zearfoss. 



due to the addition of new names during their term of service. As in 
P. V. it has been thought better to publish the rolls in full than to risk 



E ASTON, PENW-i. 



28/ 



Their first service was in the vicinity of Washington, bnt upon the request of General 
Brannan in January, 1862, the regiment was ordered to accompany him to Key West, 
Florida. Here it was busied in heavy artillery drill and lost many of its men through 
the fevers of that section. In October, 1862, while on an expedition against the rebel 
General Finnegan, Companies E and K under command of Captain Yard, after a sharp 
skirmish, took possession of Jacksonville, Florida, and thence proceeded by steamer two 
hundred miles up the river, and captured the rebel steamer Governor Milton. In the 
same month the regiment took part in the vicftory at Pocotaligo, and was then ordered to 
Key West where it remained until February 25, 1864, when it joined the Red River 
Expedition under General Banks, and had a prominent place in the engagement of Sabine 
Cross Roads, on the 7th of April, 1864, and later made a successful charge at Pleasant 
Hill. On the failure of the movement it was ordered to Washington, and in July was 
assigned to duty under General Hunter in the Army of the Shenandoah, and at Opequan 
on September 19th the grand charge of General Crook's forces and Averill's cavalry was 
made through the line held by the Forty-seventh. 

The enemy was driven from Fisher's Hill on the 21st and the pursuit continued 
during the entire night until it reached Port Republic. Some further duty in the valley 
was performed after the service under Sheridan already mentioned, until Lee's surrender, 
when the regiment moved to Washington, and participated in the grand review. After 
duty in Charleston it was mustered out on the 9th of January, 1866. In its long term of 
service it had marched over 1200 miles and made twelve voyages by sea. 

CASUALTIES AMONG THE EASTON VOLUNTEERS. 

Company A. — Killed, ThomasJ. Bower, Samuel E. Bridinger, Charles Detwiller, Lawrence Gatena, Ambrose 
Koch, Daniel McCaller, Lewis Werkheiser. Wounded, Samuel Remaly. Captured, Lewis Bower, Joseph 
Miller.- 

Company E. — Wounded, Lieutenant Edward W. Meuner. Killed, .Sergeant Francis A. Parks. Wounded, 
Corporal Reuben Weiss, Wm H. Eichman. Captured, Frederick J. Scott. Privates, killed, Henry A. Bach- 
man, M Berkshimer, Richard Hahn, John Lind, Samuel Minnich, George B. Rose. Wounded, William Adams, 
Andrew Burk, George Coult, Nathan Derr, John Dingier, William A. Force, Reuben Golis, George Hahn, John 
Kunker, J M. Kirkendall, Franklin Moser, Jacob Ochs, John Peterson, Edward Smith. Captured, Henry L- 
Beavers, Jacob Haggerty. 

TWO HUNDRED AND FOURTEENTH REGIMENT PENNA. VOLUNTEERS. 

In one of the regiments organized on March 2, 1865, by the Union League Associa- 
tion of Philadelphia for one year's service, was a company composed mainly of men 
recruited in Easton. Soon after its organization it was ordered to duty in the Shenandoah 
Valley, and subsequently to garrison duty in the City of Washington. Many of its officers 
and men had seen acftive field service in the early years of the war. 



MUSTER ROLL OF CO. H, 214TH P. V., FROM BATES' HISTORY P. V. 



ta/./a!«— Edward Kelly. 
First Lieulenanl — Henry L. Arndt. 
Second Lieutenant — Joseph S. Osterstock. 
First Sergeant — Adolph Buckheister. 
Sergeant — Charles Christian. 

" Frederick Nauman. 

" William Wise. 

" Frederick Voigt. 

John H. Bruch. 

" Edwin .\. Levering. 



Corporal — Amandts Kester. 
Thomas Roth. 

" John L. Broom. 

" Stephen Lynn. 

" Charles Walter. 

" .August Baltz. 

" . Henry Leh. 

" Peter Kratzer, 

" Charles D. Long. 

Musician — Sydenham E. Stocker. 



288 



THE HISTORY OF 



Henry Arndt, 
Leonard Andre, 
Abraham Arndt, 
Jacob Buskirk, 
Samuel S. Brewer, 
Edwin Bussard, 
William H. Brink, 
Stephen Brotzman, 
Solomon Bryfogel, 
Jerome Brewer, 
John Conarty, 
Thomas Connor, 
Nicholas Depuy, 
William H. Doney, 
Amandes Deibert, 
Charles David, 
Moses Darby, 
Benjamin Dorfer, 
George Ensley, 
Charles Frederick, 
Samuel Frederick, 
Elias Fourl, 
Alfred C. Fry, 
Daniel Fogerty, 
Christopher Grimes, 
John Gaffy, 
Reuben Getz, 
Samuel A. Gross, 
Matthew Gouldin, 
Henry Herger. 



PRIVATES. 
Henry Hagenbuch, 
Stephen D. Hurst, 
Charles Hull, 
Isaac Hohenshield, 
John C. Houck, 
James Hennesse, 
John Haldeman, 
Cornelius S. Hartzell, 
Polhemus Hoaglen, 
Lewis Hanky, 
Henry Imbt, 
Martin Joice, 
John Judge, 
Levi H. Kelchner, 
Freeman Kresge, 
John Klotz, 
William Lynn, 
Ransom Lavar, 
Michael Landers, 
Alfred Metzgar, 
William Mooney, 
Peter Mulhatton, 
Jesse R. Mills, 
Joseph Mackes, 
Nicholas Mann, 
Reuben Nauman, 
Daniel Nicholas, 
Jacob W. Otinger, 
Peter R. Peifer. 



Elias Ruch, 
William H. Rice, 
William G. Roberts, 
Reuben Roth, 
Quintus E. Snyder, 
George Snyder, 
Isaiah Snyder, 
Moses Swink, 
Edwin Seip, 
William H. Strohle, 
Daniel Serfass, 
Henry F. Slutter, 
Abraham H. Seem, 
George Shissler, 
Jacob Serfass. 
James Sterner, 
Henry S. Seifert, 
Ferdinand B. Teel, 
George W. Unangst, 
Isaac Vochts, 
George Vogel, 
James Warner, 
Peter E. Williams, 
Freeman Werkheiser. 
Elias Werkheiser, 
Josiah Werkheiser, 
William H. Young, 
John W. Yinger, 
Solomon Yergty. 



ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH REGIMENT PENNA. VOLS., I2TH PENNA. CAVALRY. 

In this regiment, which saw much a6live campaigning in the Shenandoah Valley, in 
its long term of service between November 1861 and July 1865, were volunteers recruited 
in Easton by Captain David Schortz, an earnest and enthusiastic soldier, whose name we 
have already mentioned. They entered his command as Co. D, and their names as far as 
they can be gathered from Bates' History P. V., are given below : 



COMPANY D. 



Captain — David Schortz. 
First Lieutenant — Samuel Stewart. 
" " Jacob A. Stewart. 

" " Erastus W. Kellogg. 

" " Augustus Weiss. 

First Sergeant — Samuel Pa.xson. 
Q. M. Sergeant — Frederick Gashlaur. 
Com. Sergeant — ^Joseph Rouge. 
Sergeants — William Ehler. 
" John H. Keiper. 

" John Daub. 

" Marcus Schoales. 

" Benjamin Walter. 



Sergeants — James P. Michler. 

" Andrew C. Heckman. 

Corporals — Edward F. King. 

" George Bowes. 

" Lewis Witters. 

" Jacob Lerch. 

" John Wolfram. 

" George Hubbard. 

" Henry Ehler. 

Bugler — Jacob Bauch. 
Blacksmith — ^Jacob Hummel. 
.FarriVr— William H, Walter. 



John P. Billings, 
Lewis Blose, 
Jacob M. Bauer, 



Jeremiah Kutzler. 
Charles Kohler, 
Peter Lerch, 



Edward Stoddel, 
Samuel Shafer, 
Charles Smith, 




ALBERT N. SEIP, 

CAPTAIN COMPANY H, 59TH PA. VOLUNTEERS. 
(From War Photograph.) 



Tilghraan Clymer, 
George R. dough, 
Henry Duffin, 
Samuel Dutt, 
James Donnelly, 
Joseph Ehrie, 
John Full, 
John Fetter, 
Nathan Ginginger, 
J. C. Greinezweigh, 
Andrew Gashlaur, 
William Gallway, 
Howe Gosner, 
Amos Gosner, 
Jeremiah Hope, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 

John Lerch, 
Martin Meyer, 
Augustus Moser, 
John Miller, 
Bernard Mermarth, 
Charles Miller, 
Jacob Meyer, 
Samuel Mabus, 
John Meyer. 
Charles Miller, 
John P. Miller, 
Christian Ohier, 
Thomas S. Paxson, 
Ignatius Richmond, 
Jacob Raisner, 



289 



Charles Saylor, 
Christian Somerlot, 
John Stiles, 
John P. Straub, 
Lewis Smith, 
Matthias Snyder, 
Henry F. Smith, 
Henry Steel, 
Adam Walter, 
Herman Wolfram, 
William Wolfram, 
Thomas Wagner, 
Jeremiah Woodring, 
Isaac Younken, 
Charles Young. 



ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH REGIMENT PENNA. VOLUNTEERS, ELEVENTH PENNA. 

CAVALRY. 

Captain William H. Seip, promoted to Major, and afterwards to Colonel of the First 
Regiment U. S. Colored Cavalry, January 18, 1864, took with him as the result of his re- 
cruiting in Easton, a number of volunteers whose names appear upon the roll of Company 
H, Eleventh Penna. Cavalry. The regiment was raised in September, 1861, and mustered 
out July 17, 1865, and during that period was acftively employed in North Carolina and 
Virginia, in the severe field work of the Army of the Potomac, and was one of the regi- 
ments privileged to close its active service at Lee's surrender at Appomattox. 

FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT P. V. 2D PENNA. CAVALRY. 

In Company H of this regiment were some volunteers from Easton who had been re- 
cruited by its captain, Albert N. Seip. It was mustered in the fall of 1861, and after a brief 
stay in Washington, to which place it was ordered in April, 1862, on June 27 it crossed Long 
Bridge and did picket and scouting service until August 5, in Virginia, and later made an 
important reconnaissance near Aldie. " Here," says Captain Seip, in his diary referred to 
in Bates' History P. V., " five rebels were captured by a stuttering bugler, who proposed 
to surrender himself, but took such a long time to stammer out the word 'surrender' that 
the rebels mistook his meaning and surrendered themselves instead. The bugler called 
loudly for help, and gained great credit for the achievement." Its time passed in like 
duty in Virginia until the Gettysburg campaign, during which it rendered material ser- 
vice in gathering up stragglers and guarding prisoners. In the fall and winter of 1863 it 
was again on picket duty, and in the .spring of 1864, with ranks recruited took part in the 
Sheridan raid. Its subsequent career was closely identified with the history of the cavalry 
of the Army of the Potomac. It was present at the surrender at Appomattox, and was 
mustered out of service on July 13, 1865, at Cloud's Mills, Va. 

EASTONIANS IN COMPANY H, TAKEN FROM BATES' HISTORY P. V. 

Captain — Albert N. Seip, promoted from First Lieutenant, September 12, 1864; resigned, Oiflober 4, 
1864, to take the position of Second Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U. S. A. 

Captain — Aaron K. Seip, promoted to Second Lieutenant, June 17, 1S64; to First Lieutenant, 0(flober 5, 
1864; to Captain, March 15, 1865. 

Set-geaitts — Rcseberry Seip, Franklin Rinker, Sylvester Moliu, Joseph F. Kram, Benj. F. Beitel. 



290 



THE HISTORY OF 



Corpora/.s—}ac6b Riiiker, Henry Yahraus, George W. Heiues, John J. Mohn, Abandon S. Mover. 
Buglers — Francis Baumeister, Thomas Mover. 
Blacksmith — Parmer Santee. 
Saddlers— ]o\\x\ Kessler, Joseph Keim. 



David S. Afflerbach, 
Peter Bender, 
William Beer, 
Jacob Bauer, 
George Boas, 
George Dennels, 
John Daub, 
William Ehler, 
Lewis H. Fehr, 
Owen Fehr, 
Tilghman F. Fehr, 
Henry Fehr, 
John Fetter, 
Charles Garis, 
Frederick Gastlauer, 
Amos Gosner, 
Hall Gosner, 
J. C. Greinzweig, 
Isaac Houser, 
Henry W. Haas, 
Andrew Heckman, 
Jeremiah Hope, 



PRIVATES. 
Charles Hayts, 
Henry Johnson, 
Charles Koehler, 
Erastus Kellogg, 
William Klingaman, 
Alpha Keiper, 
William Lehr, 
Peter Lerch, 
Jacob Lerch, 
Joseph Mauffley, 
John Montz, 
Charles Mohn, 
Philip Mover, 
Simon Mabus, 
James P. Michler, 
Owen Messinger, 
C. A. Newman, 
Samuel Paxson, 
Reuben Rinkr, 
John Richter, 
Joseph Rodenbach, 
Ignatius Ricmond, 



Francis A. Romig, 
Joseph Rounge, 
Daniel Reese, 
E. F. Steinmetz, 
Richard Searles, 
Peter Seigel, 
Augustus Seidell 
Daniel F. Steiner, 
Samuel Schaeffer, 
Matthias Schnyder, 
Christian Somerlot, 
Henry Steele, 
John J, Smith, 
George Schafer, 
George H. Weiss, 
Thomas Wagner, 
Wm. H. Walter, 
Adam Walter, 
Augustus Weis, 
Isaac Younkin, 
Aug. Zimmerman. 



EASTON COLORED VOLUNTEERS. 

Among the incidents of military service noted in the Easton newspapers is the enlist- 
ment of colored volnnteers. 

George Hoff, 25th U. S. Colored Volunteers. 
Gibson Hoff, Sth 

Charles Prime, Sth " " " 

Daniel Prime, Frank Dunkens, Thomas Dunkens, Charles Moss. Benjamin Good, drafted, was killed at 
the battle of Olustee. 

Other names appear npon the muster rolls of the United States colored troops. We 
regret that we have not access to these names and those of the organizations to which they 
belonged. Some, we are informed, were among the troops whose clean columns and sol- 
dierly tread won the admiration of the army in their march into the crater before Peters- 
burg. In strange contrast to this reference to a few among the many thousands in service 
toward the close of the war is the following circular order issued to the troops under 
General Patterson's command. 

"Headquarters Dep't of Penna., Martinsburg, July 11, 1861. 
•Circular. — Members of the army have permitted negroes to be dressed in the uni- 
form of the army. This is prohibited, and any officer is called upon to put an end to 
such degradation ; and guards are directed to take from negroes uniforms of the army. 

By order of 

Major General Patterson. 
F. J. Porter, A. A. General." 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



291 



SURGEON JACOB R. LUDLOW. 

Prominent and honored among the Surgeons of the Army for distinguished service in 
field and hospital duty was Jacob R. Ludlow, M. D. His serv-ices, as we have seen, com- 
menced as surgeon with the First Pennsylvania Volunteers in April, 1861. Upon appoint- 
ment as Assistant Surgeon U. S. A., July 14, 1862, he was assigned to duty successively 
at Harrison's Landing, Hampton, U. S. General Hospital, near Fort Monroe, Frederick 
City after the battle of Antietam, Campbell General Hospital, Washington, D. C, and at 
Portsmouth Grove Hospital, Rhode Island. 

After a competitive examination at Washington he received a commission as Bri- 
gade Surgeon from President Lincoln and served as Chief of Corps, Hospital, and Medical 
IiLspector in therear of\'icksbnrgdnring the siege. About Aug. i, 1863, '''^ reported for duty 

with the staff of the Thirteenth Army 
Corps, General Banks, Department of 
the Gulf. During this service General 
U. S. Grant was under his professional 
care for treatment of a contusion of the 
hip caused by a fall from his horse. 
Subsequently he served at Bayou Teche 
and in Texas until January i, 1864, 
when he was furloughed through sick- 
ness until he took the post of Surgeon- 
in-Chief of Second Division, Fourth 
Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland. 
The charge of U. S. General Hospital 
No. 3, Nashville, Tennessee, as Chief 
Surgeon, detained him until that hos- 
pital was closed after the surrender of 
Lee, and he was placed in charge of the 
U. S. General Hospital for eruptive 
fevers, in the same city. 

His term of service overran four 
\ears, the first three of which were 
pa.ssed in active and often hazardous 
field and hospital duty, and the last in 
supervisory charge of large General 
Hospitals of the United States Army. 
In the leading positions assigned him 
he has left full records of patriotic ser- 
vice and professional skill and fidelit}-. After muster-out, November 10, 1865, in compli- 
ment to his long and faithful services as Surgeon, he was commissioned by the President 
as Lieutenant Colonel bv brevet. 




Jacob k. LiiiLOw. M. 1). 
Surgeon First Penna. Vuls. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel. 



GENERAL THEOPHILUS K. RODENBOUGH. 



Among the wounded in Sheridan's rapid and victorious ride up the Shenandoah 
Valle\- in September, 1864, celebrated alike on canvas, and in story and song, was 



292 



THE HISTORY OF 



Theophihis F. Rodenbough, of the Second Regiment U. vS. Cavalry, son of Charles Ro- 
denbongh, Esq., of Easton. As Lieutenant of the Easton Grays his name has appeared 
before in these pages. March 27, 1861, he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Reg- 
ular Army, promoted to Captain, and by successive steps to Colonel and Brevet Brigadier 
General, U. S. Volunteers, March 13, 1865. He was appointed Colonel of the 163d Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers of the line, and i8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, April 29, 1865, and upon 
its consolidation with the 22d Pennsylvania Cavalry, June 24, 1865, became Colonel of the 
3d Provisional Cavalry, the consolidated command, which after duty in West Virginia was 
on 061ober 31, 1865, mustered out of service. He was captured at the battle of Manassas, 
Va., in August 1862, exchanged a week later, and while in command of his regiment, 
wounded at Trevillian Station, in June 1864, and again in September 1864, at Opequan, 
losing his right arm while leading a cavalry charge. His promotions were bestowed in 
the field, for gallant and meritorious services under the 
eyes of superior officers, by whom they were recom- 
mended, and were merited by hazardous raiding ser- 
vice and notable courage in a long list of battles. The 
prominent positions a.ssigned him upon military boards 
and courts attest the high estimation of his ability held 
by the authorities at Wa.shington. 

General Rodenbough is now upon the retired list 
of the army, with full rank of Colonel of Cavalry, on 
account of wounds received in the line of duty, and is 
widely known as author of the "History of the Second 
Dragoons, U. S. A.," one of the best of regimental 
records, and of "Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor," the 
story of a prize too little known -before the publication 
of his work, and " Afghanistan, or the Anglo-Russian 
Dispute." 

Since the war as Assistant Inspector General of the 
N. Y. State National Guard, originator and secretary 
of the Military Service Institution of the United States, 
editor of the Army and Navy Journal^ and of the Public Service Rcvie-c, he has won high 
honors, and justified the warm praise awarded him in the field by Generals Grant, Sheridan, 
Meade, and others of his superior officers. 

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM H. WVCKOFF. 

To the list of Easton's representatives among the honored dead on the field of Gettys- 
burg must be added the name of Lieutenant William H. Wyckoff, who fell while fighting 
with the First Minnesota Volunteers. He was a son of Dr. Isaac C. WyckoflT. His brother 
Major Charles A. WyckoflT, of the Regular Army, already mentioned, served with distinction 
throughout the war. 

KILPATRICK'S bugler, sergeant CHARLES R. WERKHEISER, 

enlisted at sixteen, in the Second New York Cavalry. His four years of service saw 
lively scouting and fighting in the famous Dahlgren raid and in over sixty engagements 




Thkophilus F. Rodenbough. 
First Lieutenant Second Cavalry, U. S. A. 
Colonel of Cavalry, Retired List, U. S. A. 
Brevet Brigadier General U. S. Vols. 
Brevet Brigadier General LI. S. A. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



293 



under dashing leaders of dragoons, chief among whom was General Kilpatrick. As head- 
quarter's bugler he so won upon the daring dragoon that his regard for the boy bugler 
ceased only with his death, and led his family to give him honorable place at his funeral. 

Another boy bugler of Easton, enlisted at fifteen, 
while Sergeant E. N. R. Ohl was assisting in recruit- 
ing for Battery C, Fifth U. S. Artillery, was A. Reeder 
Muller, who rose by merit to the complimentary rank 
of Sergeant. 

EASTON IN THE REGULAR ARMY. 

In the Regular Army of the United States, besides 
the names mentioned, Easton was represented by Gen- 
eral Lorenzo Sitgreaves, General Nathaniel H. Michler, 
both distinguished officers of engineers, of long and 
honorable service, and now both dead. Captain A. 
Parker Porter died during the Rebellion of disease 
contra6led in the service. As chief of the Commissary 
Department of the Army of the Potomac he rendered 
kindly and efficient service to Easton volunteers in the 
Fredericksburg campaign. 

EASTON IN THE NAVY. 




Ephraim N. R. Ohl. 
Sergeant Battery C, Filth U. S. .\rtillery. 



Not to the land service alone were Easton volunteers credited during the Rebellion. 
Many, upon the expiration of their terms of service in infantry and cavalry regiments, 
enlisted in the navy. Unfortunately their names are scattered throughout the lists of the 
many vessels then in service of the navy of the United States and are not to be had. We 
know that they were upon blockade duty, forced the passage of the Mississippi with Far- 
ragut, ran the Vicksburg bomb-proof with Porter, and went down with the Cumberland. 
At camp-fires the yarns of these jolly tars are heard in turn with the "chin music" of 
the veteran volunteers. 

In the navy Easton is well represented. Rear Admiral David B. Harmony, now 
Acting Secretary of the Navy, his brother Joseph Harmony (who died during the war), 
both of long, and varied and distinguished records, and sons of Major W. J. Harmony, 
whose title dates back to an early period in the martial history of the borough ; Surgeon 
Michael C. Drennan, honored by years of skillful and faithful service, and others who 
might be named did space permit. 

CONCLUDING REMARK.S. • 

Besides the organizations we have referred to, Easton was largely represented by vol- 
unteers who had enlisted singly in other regiments of this and other states. It is to be 
regretted that full lists of these names, equally worthy with those given, cannot be had, 
and that the records of our own State are so incomplete that many names are omitted, and 
many casualties not noted. So far as possible we have endeavored to supply these omis- 
sions in the records of our own volunteers, but not with complete success. Here and 
there in individual memory is treasured sacredly some name upon the unknown roll, as 



294 THE HISTORY OF 

the nation in the soldiers' cemeteries rears mounds and marks tablets to the unknown 
dead. 

In the history of the organizations our pages allow of the merest summary. The 
utmost we can give is but an index to the full historical records of the country. No 
important battle field can be named in which Easton has not been represented ; no promi- 
nent general under whom some of her volunteers have not fought. We have seen them 
in the first of the regiments mustered in, and in the last of the regiments mustered out, 
quelling draft riots in New York, campaigning in the fever-stricken swamps of Louisiana 
and Florida, and fighting over every inch of ground on the great battle fields of Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland and Virginia. 

The prompt patriotism of her people in furnishing soldiers and in supplying their- 
wants must live as proof of their love of liberty and law, and determination to uphold both at 
every hazard, and as an example to those who may come after them, that in like peril, 
which God avert, they may so a<ft that this sacrifice may not have been made in vain. 
Great armies have always been sources of great danger. It was noted as a marvel that 
the iron-clad soldiers of Cromwell, their warfare over, fell quietly into their old places 
among the people. How much more room for wonder that our millions of citizen sol- 
dierv, their mission done, showed by their quiet disbandment and return to civil pursuits 
that in learning the duty of the soldier they had not unlearned that of the citizen. 

THE EASTON GRAYS. 

The war of the Rebellion, in which Easton did its full duty, was so severe in its actual 
service that it gave but little encouragement for the home play of the soldier. As, how- 
ever, the best way to avert war is to be ready for it, a National Guard has been organized 
in Pennsylvania, and through thorough drill and strict discipline under officers schooled in 
the field, is now the best of the State Guards. 

Among these troops, and noted for the high character and soldierly qualities of its 
members, was Company F, of the Fourth Regiment. It took its name from a company 
already referred to in these pages, and was reorganized in July, 1873, under command of 
Captain Frank Reeder, who subsequently became General of a Brigade of the National 
Guard. 

Its soldierly appearance attra(?ted great attention in many prominent parades, — nota- 
bly those upon the Centennial Grounds in 1876, where its correct alignment, the precision 
of its marching step, and clean columns clad in cadet-grey, were warmly complimented by 
the thousands of specftators, many of whom were themselves soldiers of distinguished 
service. 

At home, crowds watched with delight for the glistening barrels of their Springfield 
breech-loading rifles as their ranks descended from their armory in the second story of 
Abie's Opera House, for street parades, and for years they were the pride of the borough. 

In June, 1S77, they were suddenly ordered from pleasant camp-life, near the Delaware 
Water Gap, to active service in guard duty at Mauch Chunk during the execution of the 
murderers known as " Molly Maguires." They were prompt to obey, but the law had its 
penalty without mob interference. 

In July of the same year they saw more active work at Reading in preserving order 



EASTOA\ PENN'A. 295 

during the great railroad strike. Tlie order for this dangerous and in some measure disa- 
greeable duty found them again in camp-life near Stroudsburg. They left without delay 
to join their regiment, stopping en route at their armory to procure ammunition. 

From an article in the Daily Free Press of Easton, of July 24, 1877, headed " The 
Strikers' War," we extract the following: 

" The Fourth Regiment, N. G., Colonel T. H. Good in command, consisting of seven 
companies, one of which, Co. F, was the Easton Grays, arrived at Reading from Allentown 
about 7 p. M. , yesterday. After conference with the railroad authorities, it marched down the 
railroad, and upon getting into the cut between Walnut and Penn streets, was assailed 
with cobble-stones and brick-bats thrown by persons standing upon the banks on either 
side. The commanding officer. General Frank Reeder, cautioned his men not to fire, but 
to march steadily forward. A number of the soldiers were struck with stones, and with- 
out orders, fired indiscriminately down Seventh street, and up and down Penn street, 
driving the crowd before them finally, after firing two volleys. The loss of life would 
have been fearful but for the high aim. As it was seven of the assailants were known to 
have been killed and twenty-six wounded. Others slightly wounded escaped through the 
crowd." 

" Twenty soldiers of the Easton Grays were wounded more or less severely. Among 
them were Private O. C. Bunting, slight wound in right shoulder ; Private John Vail, 
severe wound in scalp ; Musician Frederick Snyder, slight wound in right side ; Musician 
Charles Leidy, severe wound in scalji. " 

General Reeder in his official report states : " When the command emerged from the 
cut, we were confronted by a very large and excited mob who assailed us with stones and 
pistol shots. They were dispersed by two volleys from Co. F, and a sharp skirmish fire 
from the other leading companies. During the passage of the cut occurred all the acftual 
fighting of our campaign. The loss inflicted upon the rioters was comparatively severe, 
viz : Eleven killed and fifty-four wounded, although it was generalh- believed that other 
heavy losses were concealed through fear of punishment at the hands of the civil authori- 
ties. Of my command, very few, probably not more than fifty out of an aggregate strength 
of two hundred and fifty-three, commissioned officers and enlisted men, escaped wholly 
unhurt. I was personally struck three times, and my sword struck from its scabbard by 
the falling stones ; and every member of my staff received bruises of a more or less serious 
character. The proportion of those seriously injured was extremely small, there being but 
three commissioned officers and twenty-eight enlisted men unfit for duty the following 
day, and of this number only two enlisted men failed to report for duty before the cam- 
paign was concluded." 

His report adds that the troops " behaved with the cool steadiness and courage of vet- 
erans," and closes with praise and thanks for courage and fidelity to the members of his 
staff", of whom from Easton were Major W. S. Hulick, A. A. G. Major C. M. Anstett, 
Inspector, and Walter S. Wyckoff", Volunteer Aid. 

Corporal R. E. James of the Grays was detailed to accompany the wounded to tlieir 
homes. ' 

The Grays with their regiment passed the night under arms, and after marching to 
various threatened points on the following day, returned home in the early morning of 



296 



THE HISTORY OF 



July 25, 1877. Their conducl; in this trying service was favorably contrasted with that 
of most of the other commands, whose sympathy with the strikers led them to forget their 
duty as soldiers. The disbandment of this company has, for the first time in its history 
since Lewis Gordon rallied his Rifles to its defense against the Indians, left Easton with- 
out a military organization ; and the annals of its soldiery close with — 

THE MUSTER ROLL OF THE EASTON GRAYS. 



Captain— V. A. 


Stitzer. 


First Corporal- 


-W 


'. S. Hulick. 


First Lieuteyiant- 


-N. P. Cornell. 


Second " 


-R. 


E James. 


Second ' ' 




-J. H. Brensinger. 


Third " - 


-E. 


H. Hammann. 


First Sergeant- 


-William H. King. 


Fourth " 


-J- 


C. Perdoe. 


Second " 


-H 


;. C. Lawall. 


Fiyth '■ - 


-J- 


Whit Wood. 


Third " - 


-J- 


E. Bixler. 


Si.vth 


-0. 


C. Bunting. 


Fourth " 


-J- 


I. Brodie. 












PRIVATES. 






C. M. Anstett, 




C. F. Chidsey, 


John Hughes, 




J. M. Reese, 


Ed. Alsfelt, 




A. D. Chidsey, 


E. E. Hutchinson, 




E. R. Reich. 


Clarence Andrews, 




Wm. Campbell, 


Lewis Heller, 




Jacob Ricker, 


Chas. J. Able, 




J- J- Cope, 


H. P. Hess, 




Edward Rinker, 


George Able, 




John C. Cavode, 


John F. Hess, 




J. W. Roberts, 


Frank Ashton, 




Geo. Davenport, 


Chas. B. Hetrich, 




M. W. Rohn, 


George Alpaugh, 




J. W. Dean, 


Wm. St. George Kent, 




Olin Rohn, 


Harrv W. Barron, 




John Drake, 


James P. Kinsey, 




J. S. Rodenbough, 


Hugh Beers, 




A. Elliott, Jr., 


Stephen L. Keim, 




Frank Reader, 


Ferd. VV. Bell, 




Jas. A. Edelman, 


Frank Kneedler, 




Lewis J. Rader, 


Clarence Bellis, 




Q. F. Ehler, 


Wm. Kolb, 




C. E. Schleicher, 


J. Howard Bellis, 




Wm. Fackenthall, 


Wm. Kuebler, 




Harry Seitz, 


Joseph H. Bellis, 




Uriah T. Fackenthall, 


Chas. Loudenberger, 




Jacob Skinner, 


John M. Braund, 




Chas. Fell, 


Chas. B. Low, 




Jas. E. Smith, 


Harrv D. Butler, 




J. W. Flad, 


Owen Laubach, 




John J. Smith, 


David H. Butz, 




Luther M. Fine, 


S. S. Lesher, 




Winfield Snvder. 


Frank \V. Burke, 




A. T. Groman, 


John Mack, 




C. J. Speakman, 


Wm. M. Burke, 




Ed. S. Glanz, 


H. J. Messinger, 




J. K. Stautfer, 


Wm. Beidelman, 




Harry Haines, 


C. J. Mei.\ell, 




Fred. Seitz, Jr., 


C. W. Bixler, 




Walter Hammann, 


Howard Mutchler, 




Jos. E. Starck, 


Ed. L. Bi.xler, 




J. Smith Hart, 


Robt. F. McDonald, 




Edmund Teel, 


Lewis Bixler, 




Geo. W. Hayden, 


Chas. A. Morrison, 




John Vail, 


Thos. Ballentyne, 




W. P. S. Henry, 


C. T. Nightingale, 




Henry Voight, 


Robt. M. Burrell, 




Wm. H. Harrison, 


N. D. Parks, 




Chas. Walters, 


W. H. Carhart, 




Al. Hulsizer, 


James A. Pauli, 




Edward Warne, 


Charles Crozet, 




H. B. Howland, 


S. B. Patterson, 




W. H. VVoodring, 


H. S. Cavanaugh, 




Wm. J. Hackett, 


James Parker, 




Jas. W. Wilson, 


John Connelly, 




W. H. Hulick, 


Wm. R. Parks, 




U. J. Wenner, 


Ed. Carter, 




E. H. Hulick, 


Paul Rader, 




S. S. Yohe, 


John C. Codding. 




S. S. Hartranft, 


T. J. Rader, 




Samuel Young, 


Wm. Cawley, 




Robt. T. Horn, 


Howard Reed, 




W. W. Young. 


Musieians—WiUiam 


Trumbore, Gilbert Fulmer, Fred 


Snyder, John Collins, Charles Leidy, Charles Lamb, 


Joseph Snyder. 












(The above roll is 1 


rurr 


lished from memory by a member of the company — the officers as 


they stood in 1877, and the 


privates as enrolled fro 


m time to time during its term of serv 


ice.) 







EASTON PO.STS OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 

These Posts have been among the largest and most influential in Pennsylvania. 

Bell Post, named in honor of Captain Ferdinand W. Bell, who was killed at the bat- 
tle of Fredericksburg, was established June 9, 1868, and numbered 129 on the G. A. R. 
roll. Department of Pennsylvania. 

Its first Commander was Hon. Howard J. Reeder, now one of the Judges of our 
Countv Court, and until its dissolution, January 30, 1877, the subsequent Commanders 




GEORGE W. HAYDEN, 

AS DRUMMER BOY, COMPANY B, 153d PA. VOLUNTEERS. 



E ASTON, PENN\-i. 297 

were H. G. H. Tarr, General Frank Reeder, George W. Thatcher, Major A. R. Howell, 
Samuel S. Lesher, Joseph H. Brensinger and William M. Shnltz. 

Its roll numbered 571 members, and its society room, situated in the iron-front build- 
ing eredled by Drake & Hulick on South Third street, was completely and elegantly fur- 
nished. Many prominent military men attended its camp-fires, and its liberal charities 
and entertaining festivals made its dissolution a matter of general regret. 

In the interval, until its successor, Lafayette Post, No. 217, was organized, August 
12, 1871, the ties of old comradeship were not forgotten, but the lack of united and s^-ste- 
matic effort was strongly felt. 

The first Commander of the new Post was the last Commander of Post Bell, William 
M. Shultz. Following him were Frank Stitzer, William N. Scott, Jacob Gangwere, R. 
F. McDonald, Martin L. Horn, and the present Commander, J. W. H. Knerr. 

Its large and well-appointed room is in the old Masonic Hall building on South Third 
street, the Faneuil Hall of Easton in its record of the public work of the borough in aid of the 
Republic. The membership is strong and growing and its camp-fires and celebrations are 
noted throughout the country. One of these, on the anniversary of the battle of Antietam, 
September 17, 1886, will long be referred to, for its thousands in attendance, great num- 
ber and splendid equipment of Posts and other societies in its marching columns, and dis- 
tinguished men at its camp-fire. 

In quiet open-handed charity however, is its best work, as many a comrade with no 
possession but a record of patriotism, can testify. In this it is greatly aided by an Auxil- 
iary Corps, composed of the wives, daughters and lady friends of comrades of the Post. 
These number several hundred and have a large and neatlj-furnished room in the same 
building, and have done much good work through contributions, entertainments and per- 
sonal service, for comrades and their families in need of relief 

The Post does not close its labors for the volunteers with the funeral rites at the 
grave. In conjunction with citizens an organization has been effedled to eretl a monument 
to the memor}- of the soldiers and sailors of Easton and vicinity who fell in the war of the 
Rebellion. From the encouragement given a monument will without doubt be ereifted 
worthy of the place and of the persons whose services it will commemorate. 



One of the youngest comrades of the Post in service was George W. Hayden, whose 
pidlure, engraved from a photograph taken at Brook's Station, Virginia, in March, 1863, 
appears upon the opposite page. At the age of thirteen years he enlisted as a musician 
in Company B, 153d Penna. Vols., and throughout its term of service was distinguished 
for prompt and soldierly discharge of duty. 

The companies of the 153d Penna. Vols, had reported in Easton at the time of volun- 
teering with but one drummer apiece. The additional one for each companv was furnished 
from Easton boys who volunteered. Another of these — now the Rev. Curtis V. Strickland 
of the Christian Church — carries a bullet in his hip received during the charge of Stone- 
wall Jackson at Chancellorsville, and was for a while in Libby Prison. 



EDUCATIONAL. 




HE Common Schools of Easton were first established in 1755. Rev. Henry 
Melchoir Muhlenberg, a Lutheran minister, came to this country in 1742 ; 
Rev. Michael Schlatter, a German Reformed minister, in 1746. These 
gentlemen, the fathers of the German Churches in Pennsylvania, were 
greatly impressed by the want of educational privileges, and made acflive 
and unceasing efforts to establish schools among the Germans of the 
province. 

About the year 1750, Rev. Mr. Schlatter went to Holland, and so pre- 
sented to the churches the destitute condition of the people here that a 
plan was formed for their instru<5lion. In 1751 the States of Holland and 
West Friesland granted the sum of 2000 guilders per annum, for the term 
of five years, to be applied to the instrudlion of Germans and their children. Additional 
funds were raised in Amsterdam ; and the Rev. Mr. Thompson was commissioned by the 
Synod of Holland, and the Classis of Amsterdam to solicit aid from the churches of Eng- 
land and Scotland. When he arrived in Great Britain he received the warm encourage- 
ment of persons of the highest rank in church and state. He then went to Scotland and 
represented his cause to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, then in ses- 
sion at Edinburg, so successfully that a collection of ^1200 sterling was made. Upon his 
return to London from Scotland Mr. Thompson was called back by his pastoral duties to 
Holland. He therefore urged the formation of a society to continue the work. Among 
the members were the Right Hon. Earl of Shaftesbury, Earl of Morton, Earl of Finlater, 
and Lord Willoughby of Warham ; Sir Luke Schaub, Sir Joshua Van Neck, Baronets ; 
Commissioner Vernon and others ; Aldermen of London ; together with a number of 
ministers of different churches. After making a liberal subscription among themselves 
they presented their cause before the King, George HI., who granted the sum of ^1000. 
The Princess Dowager, of Wales, gave ^100. Rev. Mr. Schlatter was appointed as a 
visitor and supervisor, a general plan of operations formed and "Trustees General" 
named. 

The first school in Easton was established under this scheme in 1755. The school- 
house was a large, one-story, log building with a cellar under it, containing one large 
room used as a church and school-room, and two smaller rooms. Its site was east of the 
present Reformed Church, at or near the corner of Church and Sitgreaves streets. Mr. 
William Parsons, to whom reference has been frequently made in this history, was very 
a(5live in this movement. 

This school house has already been referred to on pages 17 and 18 of this history. 
For many years it answered all requirements, for the population of the town was small. 
Of the teachers the name of Robert Traill alone is now known. He came to this country 
in 1763, taught in this school house, studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1777. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



299 



Tliere was pressing need of a better school. After years of deliberation the Union 
Academy on Academy Hill, within the present school grounds on Second street, was built 
in the year 1794, mainly through the instrumentality of the English inhabitants. The 
building was used for religious services in the English language. On July 21, 1798, per- 
mission was given by the trustees " to the present English teacher in the academy to hold 
meetings for worship in said house, at any time which shall not interfere with the schools." 
The " Easton Religious vSociety" was formed August 12, 1798, and a constitution framed 
which is still to be found in the archives of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton. 

Mr. Andrew Mein was the " English teacher in the Academy," and from this society 
then organized, resulted some twelve years later the First Presbyterian Church of Easton. 

The application of the inhabitants to 
the Presbytery of New Brunswick, in 
April, 1811, was made for a "teacher 
for their children and a preacher of the 
Word of God, in the English language." 
This school must have been so well 
condu6led that it acquired a reputation 
abroad, for as we have already narrated 
in the sketch of the life of Timothy 
Pickering, he moved his family to Eas- 
ton in the year 1800, that his children 
might attend the school. Of these-chil- 
dren, one son, John Pickering, became 
the author of a Greek and English Lex- 
icon, which was, for many years, in 
general use in the United States. 

During the year 181 1, Mr. Stephen 
Boyer was chosen as a preacher of the 
Gospel, in the English language, and 
was ordained. He taught a sele<?t class 
during the week in a room in the upper 
story of the Academ v building. By his 
resignation and remo\-al in 1814, this 
school was broken up. It was again 
opened in 1816 as a classical school by 
Rev. David Bishop, who had been called 
to succeed Mr. Boyer. Mr. Bishop 
preached at Easton, Mount Bethel and 
Durham, in addition to teaching during the week. These labors were too great for long 
continuance. Aid was sought and found in the person of the late Rev. John Vanderveer, 
D. D., who became one of the greatest teachers of his generation. 

Dr. Vauderveer was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey in the j'ear iSoo. He pursued his preparatory 
studies at Amwell Academy, N. J., entered Princeton College and graduated at the age of seventeen. After 
studying theology in the Seminary at New Brunswick, he came to Easton to assist Mr. Bishop in the 
.\cademy, of which he was the principal. He remained with Mr. Bishop about two years, and then, eight years 




Ri;v. John V.\nderveer, D. D. 



300 



THE HISTORY OF 



thereafter, organized a private school in the house now occupied as a parsonage by the American Reformed 
Church, on the northeast corner of Fourth and Spring Garden streets. The school was small at first, not con- 
sisting of more than a dozen pupils. There was an opening for a good school, and Mr. Vanderveer soon in- 
spired confidence in his ability and adaptation to his chosen profession ; the number rapidly increased until 
more than a hundred names were enrolled His rooms were filled, and needing larger accommodations, he 
built the large house on the northeast corner of Second and Bushkill streets, which served as a family residence 
and for school purposes. Here he continued his work as a teacher until he retired from aftive life. Mr. Van- 
derveer was a good teacher. In conversation with his pupils, many of whom live in Easton, we learned some 
of his peculiarities, and concerning his memory they speak with profound respecl. He had a thorough 
knowledge of every science which he undertook to teach, and aimeil to impress its principles upon the minds 
of his pupils. Work could not be done in a superlicial way. If a new pupil came into his school, who told of 
the number of times he had been through the arithmetic, he would soon feel somewhat humiliated by beiug 
compelled to go back to original principles, and plod through addition again. It was not so much the amount 
of work accomplished, as it was the manner in which it was done. The power of close application, rigid inves- 
tigation, and clear apprehension were points which Dr. Vanderveer aimed to impress on the minds of his pupils. 
And the success which attended his efforts made his school the most remarkable centre of educational influence 
in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He was always master of the situation. He was quite severe with the birch; 
and, an old pupil remarks, " he could do this well." As years advanced, he modified his principle of discipline, 
and acknowledged at last he had made a mistake in his severity. He had the habit of making brief addresses 
to his school, which are still remembered by his pupils. He was acquainted with Plato's method of teaching, 
and introduced daily lectures, which were remarkable for clearness of thought, and for philosophical, religious 
and pra<5tical instrn(5liou. He would take a proverb, or an incident in the school-room, and impress some 
wholesome lesson on the minds of his pupils. While the school was busy, a loud rap upon the desk would be 
heard, followed by the order "Face to the North," and instantly books were laid aside, and all wheeled into 
position to listen to words quite as wise as those of the old Grecian teacher. One of his old pupils remarks, 
" That another cause of his success was his absolute independence. He could say to his pupils, ' If you don't 
like the arrangements here, there is the door ; you are under no obligations to attend this school. I care not to 
whom related, or by whom begot, if you don't want to learn, and if you are unwilling to obey my directions, 
leave at once.' There was no trimming in that school to tickle the vanity of any patron ; no mincing of words 
to curry favor with any directors. The line of duty was to him an open highway, and those who chose to ac- 
company him felt that they were in royal company ; laggards soon fell to the rear and were lost to sight. 
Another peculiarity of Dr. Vanderveer was his kindness to those pupils who were ambitious to learn. When he 
found a boy who was in earnest to learn, he gave him loose reins. He seemed to take delight in seeing his boys 
strive to do more and better work every succeeding day. Dr. Vanderveer was himself the ' soul of honor,' and 
he endeavored to impress the principles of honor on the minds of his pupils. Whether at play in the streets, or 
at work in the school-room, another watchword would ring in the ears of his boys — ' Honor bright.' He was 
thus always watchful and careful to enforce the principles of honorable conduct in the daily intercourse of his 
pupils. He was conscious of the fa(5t that he was engaged in the sublime work of properly developing man- 
hood, and preparing the young men under his care to battle with the great problems of life. His school was very 
noisy, but it was the noise of study ; there was no time for idleness nor play — the hours of study were hours of 
hard work." Edward F. Stewart, President of the First National Bank, was the first pupil registered. While 
others were visited with the " rod " well laid on, this first pupil was fortunate enough to escape unharmed. 

Dr. Vanderveer retired from teaching in 1857. He was several years in the Board of Control, and thus 
aided by his experience the cause to which he had devoted his life. He lived twenty-one years in his retire- 
ment, and died April 28, 187S. His long experience in teaching, and his inculcation of the sublime prin- 
ciples of virtuous manhood, were in striking harmony with his own life, which seemed based upon the old Latin 
proverb ; "Justitia fiat, mat ccelum." And this feature of his charadler led one of his old pupil.s, at the time of 
his death, to say of him : 

" Noblest Roman of thera all — 
When shall we look upon his like again." 

The funeral services were conducted by Dr. Edgar, at the residence of the family. Sixty-eight of his former 
pupils attended the services in a body, and followed the remains of their former teacher to their resting place in 
the cemeterv. 




^^ppro^^eh to Li^fdv^rr^ C^oli^^e;— 1^^7. 



LAFAYETTE COLLEGE. 



The author would acknowledge in this general way the very frequent use of Professor Owen's "Historical 
Sketches of Lafayette," Coffin's "Men of Lafayette, " Mitchell's historical and descriptive article in Scribner's 
Magazine, for December, 1S76. Other helps will be noticed in the progress of the work. 

The following is a copy of the original petition presented to the Legislature of Penn- 
sylvania for the charter of a College in Easton. 

"To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met. The petition of the subscribers, inhabi- 
tants of the said Commonwealth, respedlfully represents. 

"That a meinorial has been presented to your honorable bodies on behalf of the 
Trustees of ' Lafayette College,' located in Easton, praying for an aA of incorporation. 
Your petitioners, believing that the plan of education proposed to be adopted in that insti- 
tution, in which military science and tadlics will be combined with the usual course of 
academical studies, and a due attention paid to the modern languages, especially the Ger- 
man, will be produ6live of much good to the students and the public in general ; and that 
such an institution is much needed in this sedlion of the State, pray your honorable bodies 
that a charter of incorporation may be granted to the said Trustees, and such Legislative 
aid be extended to the funds of the institution as you in your wisdom may deem proper." 

The above petition had its origin at a meeting of the citizens of Easton at White's 
Hotel, in the northeast corner of the Public Square, December 27, 1824. There was a 
feeling in the minds of thinking men that Easton was to occupy a commanding position 
in this part of the State ; hence we find that such men as Sitgreaves, Porter, Wolf, and 
Joel Jones, leaders of public opinion — eminent at the bar, and successful in moulding 
public taste — earnest friends of education — were ready to do all in their power to aid in 
promoting the cause which had taken a strong hold in the public mind. At the meeting 
at White's Hotel, Colonel Thomas McKeen was appointed President, and after the matter 
had been thoroughly discussed, it was resolved, "That it is expedient to establish at this 
place an institution of learning in which the languages, and the various branches of edu- 
cation and science usually taught in colleges, together with the French and German lan- 
guages, civil and military engineering and military ta(5lics shall be taught." It was not 
ten years since the battle of New Orleans had thrilled the hearts of the American people 
and closed the war of 1812. And the military feeling was such that the men of Easton 
felt an institution of learning must have military science prominent among the studies 
pursued in order to meet the demands of a young man's education. The president of the 
meeting, without doubt, inspired the citizens with his own patriotic emotions. Born of 
Scotch blood, in the Emerald Isle, he inherited that ardent love of education and freedom 
which is so evident wherever this remarkable people make their home. And at this dis- 
tance in time, we can imagine him urging the military feature of the college charter by 
exclaiming "a freeman's arm can best defend a freeman's home," and that "a well 
instructed citizen should not only know his rights, but should also know how to defend 
them." Joel Jones was the secretary of this meeting. 

Thomas McKeen was born June 27, 1763, and came to this country in his twentieth year. When he pre- 
sided at the meeting at White's Hotel, he was sixty-one years of age. It is evident he was working for the 



EASTON, PENN'A. 303 

future. No doubt his mind dwelt upon the scenes of the future when the fruit should ripen, the germs of which 
plans he was then planting. When he came to America he settled in the vicinity of Easton and engaged in teach- 
ing, and afterwards in mercantile p'ursuits. In 1815 he accepted the position of Cashier of the Easton Bauk, and at 
the death of Samuel Sitgreaves, in 1826, he became its President, and retained the position till 1S51, a period of 
twenty-five years Mr. McKeen was eminent in business circles and prominent in many enterprises that give 
evidence of a generous heart, and a liberal-minded citizen. He was an adlive member of the Presbyterian 
Church, for many years Treasurer of Lafayette College, and one of the most generous of its early friends. He 
died in 1S58, in the ninety-si-^th year of life 

Having resolved to found a College, the ne.xt question that came before the people 
was the name by which the institution should be known. General Lafayette had landed 
in New York the previous summer, August 16 ; his name was on the lips of every child 
who could speak, as on those of the old man trembling on the verge of the grave ; it was 
told by maid and matron in every home in the land, by the farmer at the plough and the 
mechanic at his toil. A continued ovation marked his progress from city to city in the 
republic for which he had fought and whose soil had been stained with his blood. No 
event had occurred since the surrender at Yorktown that had so stirred the patriotic emo- 
tions as the arrival of this intimate companion in arms of Washington. He had been 
wounded at Brandywine, nursed in Bethlehem ; he should be honored at Easton ; and so 
it was unanimously resolved to name the institution, Lafayette. These men were in ear- 
nest, which is evident from the last resolution which was passed by the meetincr. " Tliat 
James M. Porter, Joel Jones, and Jacob Wagener, be a committee to draft a memorial to 
the Legislature for a charter of incorporation, and for legislative aid." The Legislature 
granted the charter, March 9, 1826. This charter vested thirty-five persons therein 
named with the usual powers of a College, and to fill vacancies in their board by election. 
The names of the Trustees are as follows : General Robert Patterson, John Hare Powel, 
Peter A. Browne, General Andrew M. Prevost, Benjamin Tilghman, Silas E. Wier, John 
M. Scott, Samuel Sitgreaves, Thomas McKeen, Peter Miller, Philip Mixsell, Jacob Wey- 
gandt, Jr., John Bowes, James M. Porter, Christian J. Hutter, Jacob Wagener, George M. 
Barnet, John Carey, William Shouse, Peter Ihrie, Jr., J. Wornian, Joel Jones, J. R. Latti- 
more, Thomas I. Rogers, Joseph K. Swift, M. D., George G. Howell, Peter S. Michler, 
Jesse M. Howell, Philip H. Mattes, George Hess, Jr., Jacob Kern, George Weber, Anthony 
McCoy, Walter C. Livingston, and William Long. The board met for organization, May 
15, 1826. Hon. James M. Porter was elected President, which position he held for twenty- 
five years ; Hon. Joel Jones, Secretary, and Col. Thomas McKeen, Treasurer. The organi- 
zation was now complete, but the Legislature had not made an appropriation. The pros- 
peel was dark, but those noble men went forward not daunted by diificnlties. They must 
seledl a president who could aid them in infusing life into the new organization. In 
February, 1828, Professor List was ele<5led, but he could not serve. Dr. Jaeger was then 
offered the position, but with the same result. In Januar\-, 1832, Dr. John Gray named 
to the committee Rev. George Junkin, A. M., as a gentleman eminently qualified to take 
charge of the institution. Mr. Junkin at that time had charge of the "Manual Labor 
Academy of Pennsylvania," situated at Germantown. The trustees invited him to come 
to Easton and examine the charter and location and prospe6ls. He came, had an inter- 
view with the committee, and on the 6th of February, 1832, the board appointed Mr. 
Junkin President of the College, which position he agreed to accept if the militarv feature 
of the charter could be dispen.sed with. This was done by a supplement pa.ssed bv the 



304 TffE HISTORY OF 

Legislature, x\pril 7, 1832. Auotlier important step had been taken. It had been nearly 
six years since the organization of the Board of Trustees. During these long years these 
patient, persevering men, were looking for a man to take the helm and guide the vessel 
through the storms which might rise before them. 

"Of my family I know but little," said Dr. Juiikin. "Heraldry has not blazoned its name. Edmon'sbook 
contains it not." But if not written in earthly books of heraldry, the names of many of his ancestors are re- 
corded in a more ancient and enduring volume — the Lamb's Book of Life. His lineage was of that stalwart, 
godly, and heroic race, the Puritans of Scotland — the men and women who braved persecution for Christ's 
crown and covenant ; and, despite the curses of the Charles' and the claymores of Claverhouse, witnessed so 
long and so steadfastly for God and His truth. When George the Second was on the British throne ; when 
Pennsylvania was a province only fifty-six years old ; when the Susquehanna flowed through an almost unbro- 
ken wilderness, there crossed that river, at Harris' Ferry, now Harrisburg, two youthful Scotch-Irish immigrants 
— Joseph Junkin and Elizabeth, his wife. A previous immigration of Junkins had halted and acquired lands 
upon a part of which the town of Oxford now stands. This Joseph Junkin came from Antrim county, Ireland. 
His father and mother had immigrated to that country from Scotland during the persecution under the Stu- 
arts. They were Covenanters of the straightest type, and left their country for their conscience sake. This im- 
migration occurred some time before the revolution of 1688. The Junkin family had resided near Inverness, but 
the name is probably of Danish origin ; they were, most likely, of the number of those adventurers from Den- 
mark which, at an early period, took possession of parts of the coast of Nortli Britain. The paternal grand- 
mother of Dr. Junkin was Elizabeth Wallace, also of Scotch parentage, her mother having come from Scotland 
previous to the siege of Londonderry ; for she was in that city, and, with her family, endured the horrors of 
that siege, successful resistance to which gave William of Orange that vantage which established him upon the 
British throne, — the champion of the Protestant religion and the liberties of the world. She heard the booming 
of many a cannon of the allies of the Stuarts ; and she saw from the walls of glorious old Derry the smoke of 
the mo.st important gun ever fired, — the lee gun of the Mountjoy, whose rebound righted the ship, broke the 
boom, relieved the star\'iug city and garrison, forced the allies to raise the siege and fall back upon the Boyue 
where the arms of William and liberty triumphed, and completed the glorious revolution of 1688. From such 
an ancestry George Junkin was descended, which may serve to explain the source of his unflinching courage, 
untiring zeal, and his aggressive force, which carried him through the exciting scenes of his life, and impressed 
his name upon an institution which will stand as his monument, more enduring than one of brass or marble. 
George Junkin was born in a stone building near Kingston, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, November i, 
1790. The force of character inherited from his ancestors was developed under the influence of parents who.se 
religious charaifler was as remarkable as their patriotism. His parents were governed by the principle announced 
by Solomon : " Bring up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Their 
religious emotions were awakened into life amid the throes of revolution, and intensified by bitter persecution. 
In no class of men in the history of the modern church did the flame of pure religion burn more brightly than 
in the lives of those men who fought for religious freedom at Londonderry, and on the banks of the Boyne. In 
the midst of such influences, in the seclusion of primeval forests, George Junkin spent the days of his early life. 
Reared amid such surroundings, hard toil and self-denial became a pleasure in the service of the Master. Ad- 
herence to duty was the pole star of his life, and he followed its light with the spirit of a martyr. In May, 1809, 
he entered the grammar school of Jefferson College. Ross' Latin Grammar was put into his hands and no other 
duty assigned him. He was required to commit certain parts to memory and recite by rote. His teacher never 
took a book into his hands, ha\-ing the whole committed to memory. No explanations were made until the 
grammar had been twice recited through. The third time the examples under syntax rules were parsed and 
most of the notes committed. And Dr. Junkin remarks : " After all my experience I think it best to study lan- 
guage first and afterwards the philosophy of language." In College he soon developed a taste and talent for 
writing and discussion, which made him somewhat distinguished among his fellows. He was noticed in col- 
lege as a grave and rather reserved youth, intent upon study, and full and accurate in his recitation. His 
powers of generalization and analysis and his logical acumen were earlv developed which made him of mark as a 
reasoner ; and he was conceded to be the best debater in college. In September, 1813, he passed his final ex- 
aminations, and was admitted to the first degree in the arts. He shortly afterwards went to New York to study- 
theology with the great Dr. Mason. It is suggestive of the great change in the mode of travel to read the ex- 
perience of young Junkin in traveling from Philadelphia to New York. "We left Philadelphia at daylight, 
crossed the Delaware at New Hope and lodged the first night at Somerville ; the ne.xt daj-'s journey brought us 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 305 

to Paulus Hook, on the shores of the Hudson, opposite New York City " Early in June, 1816, he received in- 
formation that Dr Mason was about to make a voyage to Europe. He did not wish to spend his time at the 
Seminary in the absence of his favorite teacher, and so he concluded to be licensed and go to work and finish 
his studies after Dr. Mason's return. On September 16th he was licensed to preach by the Presbyterv of Mo- 
uongahela. He spent his first Sabbath at Butler, Pa., where he preached twice in the court-house; the next 
Sabbath was spent at White Oak Spring, six miles from Butler. Here a rostrum was erefted in the wild woods, 
but a flourishing congregation was established on the spot afterwards. In the same autumn he was at Carlisle 
and preached for Rev. Mr. Duffield. While sitting in the study of Mr. Duffieldhe was informed of the fall of 

the Rev. Mr. , a most brilliant and talented minister, from the effects of alcohol. The sad event made 

a deep impression on the mind of Mr. Junkin, and before he rose from his seat he settled the question, that by 
the help of God, he would never drink intoxicating drinks except under the most urgent medical advice. It 
was a universal habit to give liquor to \-isitors as a token of hospitality, but it may safely be believed that Mr. 
Junkin kept his word. On October 17, 1S19, Mr. Junkin was installed pastor of the church at Milton, Pa., but 
before his formal installation, he had entered upon the duties of his pastorate with a zeal and energy- which was 
never relaxed until the hand of death was laid upon him nearly half a century afterwards. At the time of his 
entrance upon his duties there was no house of worship belonging to his people. He preached in a schoolhouse 
in the winter season, and in the summer in a log house. Whisky drinking was almost universal. At funerals 
the whiskey bottle and tumbler were passed as a matter of course, and many a time men might be seen going 
from the house of death, sadh- under the influence of liquor. It soon became evident that there must be a 
change, either in the people or the pastor. It needed a moral earthquake to make his people see the state of 
things in a proper light. The earthquake was near at hand. He was called upon to attend a funeral service 
where the whiskey bottle and tumblers made their appearance. While gazing upon the incongruity of the 
scene, and looking upon the alcohol standing so near the cold remains of the dead, deeming it an insult to God 
and a curse to man, he refused to engage in the services and left the house. There was another clergyman 
present who could conduct the ser%'ice, but Mr. Junkin had gained his point. The people were startled, and 
awoke as from a dream. Intense excitement was caused by the bold, determined adlion of the pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church. People began to inquire into the reason which actuated the pastor. The Northumber- 
land Presbytery, after a stormy debate, passed resolutions of temperance reform. This is thought bv some to 
be the first temperance movement by ecclesiastical aftion in the country. But the Quakers, disgusted at the 
sight of drunkenness at funerals, had taken attion in a milder form many years before in Eastern Pennsylvania. 
Mr. Junkin had to endure the pelting of a serious storm of persecution, but he bore it with meekness and chris- 
tian patience. He was a born leader, who was safe to follow, though he sometimes led through stormv and un- 
trodden paths. He was conscientiously and intensel}* religious. He carefully studied the path of duty and 
walked in it with an unfaltering step. His salarj' was inadequate for his support ; he bought a farm, and while 
building a barn was taken sick with a serious attack of bilious fever. He had employed a Mr. William Thomas, 
a pious Baptist, who attended his church, to build his barn. Mr. Junkin requested that Mr. Thomas should lead 
the family devotion in the apartment at the foot of the stairs so that he might hear and enjoy the service. One 
morning Mr. Thomas asked his apprentice, Matthew Laird, to conduct the ser\'ice. Mr. Junkin remarked to 
his wife — " That }-oung man's praj'er went to my heart, it was fervent and tender, and if God spares my life, 
that young man shall enter the ministry." The vow was fulfilled. That prayer of Matthew Laird's was, in a 
certain sense, the starting point of Lafayette College, as it was the first link in the chain of Divine Providence 
that led him into the department of education. He took Matthew Laird and Daniel Gaston under his care to 
study for the ministry. He prepared an apartment in his new barn which might serve as a carpenter shop, 
where the young men could work, and by exercise keep up the tone of their system by healthy labor, and 
pay the expenses of their course. In following up this idea, his mind was attracted to the Manual Labor Acad- 
emy of Pennsylvania, located at Germantown. The idea of combining with studj' the health-preserving labor 
of the hands, and so contribute to the expenses of education, got possession of his mind, and resulted in the 
founding of Lafaj-ette College. 

The trustees then leased, for two years, the farm on the south bank of the Lehigh, 
owned by Christopher Medler, and placed it at the disposal of Mr. Junkin, that he might 
conducl; the operations of the College upon the principle of manual labor. In March 
President Junkin came to Easton, brought a number of young men from Germantown 
with him and went to work in earnest on the college premises ; so successful were 
they in their work that the regular exercises of the College began May 9, 1832. The 



3o6 THE HISTORY OF 

session opened with forty-three stndents, most of wliom came from Germantown with 
him. The number soon increased to fifty-six, and there were also during the year eleven 
day scholars, so that Lafayette had an attendance of sixty-seven pupils in the first year 
of her history. 

We learn from the first annual report and accompanying catalogue that "on Monday, 
October S, 1832, the examination of the students took place at the College, commencing 
at 9 o'clock A. M., and continuing to a late hour in the afternoon." In the evening the 
first annual exhibition took place in the Presbyterian Church in Easton. And it is a 
matter of interest that the first oration delivered in the history of the College was "On 
the Qualifications of a Christian Missionary," by Charles F. Worrell, of New Jersey. 

The following was the order of exercises : An oration by Andrew Barr, of Pennsyl- 
vania, " Benefits of the American Tariff System." An oration by Oliver W. Stevens, of 
Georgia, " In Opposition to the Tariff, and Advantages of Tree Trade." h.\\ oration by 
William D. Howard, of Philadelphia, " Evils of the Civil War in the United States." A 
strange arrangement of topics in the light of the then near future. An oration by John 
J. Carrell, of Bucks county, Penna. , "Importance of the Missionary Enterprise." This 
shows the beating of the nation's pulse fifty-six years ago. 

From this first annual report we have an account of the work done in the labor depart- 
ment. An inventory of the principal material wrought up by the students within the 
year, namely : 117,639 feet of hmiber cost $1545.43; 640 trunk locks, handles, etc., $240.00; 
145 pounds of nails, $87.00; Petna and Madrass goat skins, $587.00; two hundred and 
twenty-five morocco skins, $191.00; manufadlured articles (dry goods boxes) 610; book 
bo-xes, 151; quill boxes (cotton factory) 80; hat boxes, 132; trunk boxes, 970; candle 
boxes, 84. Total, 2027. There were 640 trunks finished, 740 lights of sash, 10 
cultivators, 2 wheelbarrows, i cutting box, i horse rake, 10 bedsteads, 5 long dining 
tables, 25 study and kitchen tables, 2 wash stands, i kneading trough, i large writ- 
ing table, 15 benches. Then follows a report of farm and garden work : 100 loads of 
manure spread, 2400 bushels of lime spread, 25 tons of hay cut, 320 bushels of potatoes 
raised, 8 acres of corn cut, 6 acres of oats, 25 acres of wheat and rye. This .shows an ear- 
nest effort on the part of the president to solve the problem of a manual labor college. 

It will be interesting to the students of to-day to examine the studies of those early 
days and compare them with the present. The curriculum is as follows : 

FresJimen. First Term: Latin — Odes of Horace. Greek — Minora. Neilson's Exer- 
cises, Roman Antiquities, Mythology, Ancient Geography. Mathematics — Euclid, First 
Book. 

Second Term: Latin — Satires and Epistles of Horace, Cicero's Orations, Roman 
Antiquities. Greek — Majora, viz : Xenophon, Herodotus, Thucydides. Neilson's Exer- 
cises^Autiquities. Mathematics — Euclid Second and Third Books, Algebra to Simple 
Equations. 

SopJiomore Class. First Teiiii : Latin — Horace's Art of Poetry, Tacitus' History. 
Greek— Majora, viz : First Volume completed, Greek Antiquities. Mathematics — Euclid, 
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Books. 

Second Term: Latin — Tacitus' History. Greek — Majora, Second \'oliime. Plane 
Trigonometry, Algebra through Equations, Evidences of Christianit}'. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 307 

Junior Class. First Term: Latin — Cicero de Officiis. Greek — Majora, Second 
Volnme. Surveying, Mensuration, Conic Se6lions, Mental Philosophy, Logic, Evidences 
of Christianity. 

Second Term: Greek — ^Longinus de vSublimitate. Spherical Trigonometry, Analytic 
Geometry, Differential and Integral Calculus, Moral Philosophy, Rhetoric, Natural The- 
ology. 

Senior Class. First .Term: Latin — Cicero de Oratore. Greek — Majora, Medea. 
Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Mental Philosophy, Rhetoric. 

Second Term: Natural Philosophy, Mineralogy, Botany, Political Economv, History 
Reviewed, Mental and Moral Philosophy, Evidences of Christianity. 

A preparatory course and a teachers' course were also arranged and the teachers were 
to receive a normal training for their work. It was impossible to fill the position of pro- 
fessor in German literature the first and second year, and hence it is not mentioned in the 
curriculum. 

The Faculty of the College consisted of Rev. George Junkin, D. D. , President, and 
Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy, Logic, Rhetoric, and Evidences of Chris- 
tianity. 

Mr. Charles F. M'Cay, A. B., Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. 

Mr. James Coon, (later Kuhn,) A. B., Professor of the Latin and Greek languages. 

Samuel D. Gross, M. D.* Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy and Botany. 

Mr. Daniel Gaston, Business Agent. t 

The third semi-annual examination occurred on 061ober, 7, 1833, in the Collep-e 
building, south of the Lehigh. In the evening of the same day there was a public exhi- 
bition in the Presbyterian Church of Easton, which was the second annual commencement 
of the young College. 

This exhibition closed the third term of the college in its temporary quarters, on 
the south side of the Lehigh. In looking for a permanent place whereon to erecl 
the College buildings, Mount Lafayette was wisely chosen, and nine acres of land 
were purchased for $1400, and the work of building .soon began. People may look in 
vain for a place more beautiful by nature than this lovely spot. Literally encircled by 
mountains, beautiful in their wild irregularity, and charming variety, ever changing in 
their outline, as the observer changes position. Mount Lafayette presents attractions unsur- 
passed in the wealth of her natural scenery. And then, winding on either side are the 
sparkling waters of the Delaware, Lehigh and Bushkill, overshadowed by lofty mountain 
crags, or adorned by villages, farm houses and furnaces, along their banks, the lofty col- 
umns of steam from the passing engines, moving like the cloudy pillar in the wilderness, 
and the columns of dark smoke rising from busy furnaces on the Lehigh, present scenes 
at which the eyes may daily gaze, but never weary while they look. Those men knew 
how this locality might be made yet more attractive by art. Their imagination could 
easily picture these beautiful maple groves, blooming shrubbery, winding foot-paths and 
carriage ways, green lawns, and stately buildings ; and if Dr. Junkin allowed his imagi- 

* Dr. Gross became au eminent physician and surgeon in Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia. He 
died recently, having ordered his body to be cremated, which was done in the crematory of Washington, Pa. 

t Mr. Gaston died in 1S65, in Philadelphia, having been remarkably successful as pastor of the Presbvterian 
Church, in Cohocksink. 



3o8 



THE HISTORY OF 



ready for occupancy in May, 1834. 



nation to dwell upon the additional beauties which art might bring, there is no wonder 
that he should so frequently speak of "lovely Lafayette." 

Preparations were soon made to ere(ft suitable buildings on this advantageous spot. 
In June, 1833, Dr. Jiinkin broke ground for the new building. It was nearly nine years 
since the first meeting at White's Hotel. The progress seemed slow, but every step 
was wisely taken, and that which had been gained had been tenaciously held. On 
the morning of June 27, Judge Porter laid the first stone. On July 4, the corner stone 
was laid with appropriate ceremonies. A procession was formed, made up of the College 
authorities, students, citizens, civil and military organizations of the vicinity. The pro- 
cession was formed at the court house, then standing in Centre Square. The procession 
moved at half-past nine a. m. to the College grounds, the corner stone was laid, addresses 
were delivered by Dr. Junkin and Rev. B. C. Wolf The procession then returned to the 
German Reformed Church, and at half-past eleven o'clock Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll, of 
Philadelphia, delivered an oration. The building was urged on with such zeal as to be 

Professor Owen, in his Historical Sketches of Lafay- 
ette College, expresses the opinion that without the 
aid of Judge Porter the college could not have been 
built. "The structure (now the central part of South 
College) was 112 by 44 feet, with a recess of 17 by 
49 feet. The basement, first and second stories, of 
limestone, rough laid, and the third and fourth sto- 
ries of brick, the whole rough cast. There were six 
recitation rooms, a chapel, refectory hall, stewards' 
rooms, apartments for the president and other offi- 
cers of the college, and about fifty rooms for students. 
This building was the pride of the town. At its 
completion it was brilliantly illuminated by the 
students, who made the day one of great festivity and rejoicing."* After the build- 
ing was completed, the inauguration of the faculty took place, the membership being 
the same as already mentioned. The manual labor system was continued. Dr. Junkin 
was a warm advocate of this system, and was determined to give the problem a satis- 
factory solution. It had met with a partial failure at Germantown, but that was 
attributed to disadvantages of location, and not to any defect in the system ; he was 
determined to try it under more favorable surroundings. The trustees were in full 
sympathy with the president. They spoke in the wannest terms of the good results on 
the health and economy of the students, in promoting mental and bodily activity, and 
"developing a manly independence of character." The arguments by which the system 
was sustained, could not be successfully assailed, nothing but the severe school of experi- 
ment could satisfactorily test its weak points ; where logic failed, experience succeeded in 
discovering the fallacy ; and after a trial of five more years on Mount Lafayette, the pres- 
ident was obliged to admit its failure as a part of college life. The system of manual 
labor led him to Easton, and Providence seems to have used it as mathematicians do the 
the symbol of the unknown quantity in algebraic manipulations, till the equation is 
solved, and it was then dismissed. In 1839, on his recommendation the system was 
* Owen's Sketches. 




„^4- 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 309 

abandoned b\' the trustees. But the college had been established, and though minor 
measures might change, its vitality could not be injured. There were many dark days 
for it to pass through, but the trustees were determined to succeed. Dr. Junkin resigned 
in 1841 to accept the presidency of the Miami University, Ohio. He was recalled in 
1844, and remained at the head of the college till 1848, when he again resigned, and 
accepted the position of president of Washington College, Virginia. But wherever he 
was his heart turned toward Easton, as he often wrote of "lovely Lafayette." His con- 
necflion with the college had been one constant scene of anxiety, there had been serious 
obstructions, severe discouragements, but this noble man toiled on, praying daily for suc- 
cess. He spent $10,000 of his private funds, and continued until prudence bade him 
stop. In a Baccalaureate sermon, he compares the progress of the college to a " traveller 
who spends his long and toilsome day in passing from mountain crag to mountain crag, 
without appearing to have gained in elevation or distance;" and he adds in a tone of 
sadness, "shelving crag and rolling rock, and mountain torrent, and chilling iceberg, and 
deep, dark ravine we have encountered." 

In 1837 the prospects were so dark that he offered in a meeting of his friends in 
Philadelphia, to relinquish the enterprise, if they thought best, but they urged him to 
continue, and not to sacrifice what had been done to accomplish an objedl of such 
immense importance. Among those who thus advised were Rev. Drs. Archibald Alex- 
ander and John Breckinridge. Both very strongly opposed the idea of abandoning the 
enterprise. 

Dr. John W. Yeomans succeeded Dr. Junkin, and was inaugurated August 18, 1841. 
He resigned in 1844, and Dr. Junkin was unanimously re-elected president. Rev. Charles 
W. Nassau, D. D., vice president of the faculty, was elected president on March 13, 1849, 
but was not inaugurated, and resigned in September, 1850. The patronage of the college 
was now quite small. In 1848, the four classes numbered 82 ; in 1850, the number had fallen 
to 24. At this rate the end seemed inevitable. At this time the subject of Parochial 
Schools, Presbyterial Academies and Synodical Colleges, was very earnestly advocated by 
many leading minds in the Presbyterian Church. The presidents of the college had been 
Presbyterians, the professors and patrons were numerously of this denomination, and there 
seemed nothing to hinder making Lafayette a Presbyterian institution, and placing it under 
the care of the vS)'nod of Philadelphia. The legislature made the desired change in the 
charter, and in 1850, Lafayette was received under the care and patronage of this ecclesias- 
tical body. This must be looked upon as one of the most important steps in the history of 
the institution, one that was full of hope. Under the new order of things, Rev. D. V. Mc- 
Lean, D. D., was ele6led president, and inaugurated in 1851. He at once undertook to 
raise $100,000 as a permanent endowment fund by the sale of scholarships. Tlie payment 
of $100 entitled the holder to the privilege of educating his own sons, or the sons of any 
person to whom he might transfer the certificate without further tuition fees. This matter 
was urged with such zeal that the whole sum was pledged by January i, 1854, and Monday, 
January 2, was a day of rejoicing. In the evening the buildings were illuminated, and the 
faculty and students assembled in Brainerd Hall, where they were addressed by Mr. Edsall 
Ferrier, a member of the Senior class, and in response, by the president. In the evening 
there was a torchlight procession. This movement brought the college conspicuously before 
the public again, and in 1856 the number of students reached 106, the highest number 



3IO 



THE HISTORY OF 



yet attained. But the pecuniary advantage was only temporary. It was borrowing money 
to be paid by the tuition fees of pupils for many years to come ; so that, while the students 
increased in number, expenses also increased, the income from tuition was almost entirely 
cut off When Dr. McLean resigned in 1857, the college was without funds. Students 
came with scholarships, the income from which had been applied to the payment of debts, 
leaving but a small productive fund ; the plan had been of questionable advantage, and the 
darkness returned. 

In 1857 the duties of the presidency were assigned to the Rev. George Wilson 




James H. Coffin, LL. I), 

Professor 1S46-1.S73. ^ ' ', •- 

McPhail, D. D., LL. D., who three years earlier had become first pastor of the Brainerd 
Clnirch. He was formally inaugurated in 1858, and discharged the duties of his office 
until the summer of 1863. 

It was during his presidency that the civil war broke out. The echo of Confederate 
guns in Charleston Harbor had roused the North and West. In every town and city 
could be heard the drum beat calling men to arms. The farmer literally left the plow in 
the furrow, the mechanic laid down his tools, clerks closed their ledgers, bade adieu to 



EASTON, PENN'A. 



3" 



dear ones at home, and hnrried to the front to endure the toils of the camp and the hazard 
of battle. Academies and colleges gave up their students, the best blood of tiie nation, 
to rescue the Republic from the grasp of treason and save it in the hour of peril. No 
college in the land, in proportion, sent so many of her sons to the field as did Lafayette ; 
and the stately monument in front of South College tells the story of their devotion. In 
1863, there was no commencement, the boys were at the front. This absence of students 
was not from the want of interest in Lafayette, but from a greater interest in the salvation 

of the Republic. Lafayette 
might have had no mis- 
sion, if the government 
were lost. They would 
first save the Republic, 
then come back and save 
Lafayette ; and so the stu- 
dents who should have 
graduated in '63, returned 
and took their degrees the 
following year. But other 
circumstances combined 
with the war to make this 
the darkest period of the 
history of Lafayette. She 
had stood at the portals be- 
fore, she now seemed to 
have entered the dark val- 
ley. The condition of the 
college was so alarming, 
friends so disheartened, 
that the question of clos- 
ing the doors was freely 
discussed. For this pur- 
pose a meeting of the trus- 
tees was called in Phila- 
delphia, at which a com- 
mittee was appointed to 
confer with Doctors Coffin, 
March and Coleman, with 
reference to keeping the 
college in operation an- 
other year. The question 
to settle was, can we pay their salaries? The life of " Lovely Lafayette" was placed in 
the hands of this trio of noblemen, who resolved to proceed regardless of the amount they 
might receive, and keep the college doors open at all hazards. Lafayette "still lives." 
These three names are familiar in both hemispheres — Coleman, Coffin, March. Two of 
them have gone to their final reward, the third, the leading Anglo-Saxon scholar of the 




Francis A. .\ 
Professor of Comparativ 



\KLH, LL. 1)., L. H. D., 
Philology and English Literature. 



312 



THE HISTORY OF 



world, still stands at his post. Tempted by offers of higher positions, and by others again, 
of larger salary, he remains in the position he has honored so long, and which has done so 
much to give Lafayette her eminent and foremost position in the Philological world. 

In looking for a president a kind Providence fixed the attention of the trustees upon 
Rev. William C. Cattell, pastor of Pine Street Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg. The 
trustees had gone through dense darkness many times ; their faith had been so tested 
as to remind them of the Hebrew Patriarch, but light was beginning to beam on the near 
future. Dr. Cattell was inaugurated August 26, 1864. He knew the needs, the sore 
trials through which the college had gone for he had previously been a member of her 
faculty for five years ; he knew and loved the noble men who had sacrificed so much. 
He knew the trials before him. He brought with him a warm heart, a strong faith, a 
determined zeal, the sympathy of a large circle of friends, and a willingness to toil hard 
for success. The star of hope seemed to have arisen. Gov. Pollock, president of the 
board of trustees, was the prophet of the occasion, and did much to lift the veil which 
covered the future, when he said : "The hour of darkness and gloom has passed; and 
to-day, within her walls all is harmony and peace ; and at this hour, and in analogy with 
nature now robed in sunshine and smiling after the storm, the light of a genial sun now 
pouring down upon us through the riven and scattered clouds, Lafayette College stands 
revealed in the light of returning prosperity, and all without betokens favor, success and 
triumph !" 

The new era seemed to have received the seal of Divine approbation in a most gra- 
cious revival, which "was perhaps the most remarkable of the revivals that have charac- 
terized the recent history of the college." This warm religious life has been a source of 
joy to many a household, when the news came of the conversion of their sons ; and many 
Christian mothers have uttered earnest prayers for the prosperity of the college. With 
this religious prosperity came temporal advancement. The number of students in 1863 
was 39, in 1875 it was 31S. The prosperity of Lafayette was seen quite as clearly in the 
increase of her buildings, as in the growing numbers of her students. An incident should 
be here mentioned, as it was the beginning of a movement which has dotted the hill with 
beautiful and costly buildings. Let President Cattell tell his own story. At a banquet 
given to him in Philadelphia, in 1869, on the eve of his departure for an extended tour 
in Europe, President Cattell said: "In the Fall of 1864, I became acquainted with Mr. 
Ario Pardee. It was at a period when the clouds of our civil war hung low and dark in 
the horizon, shrouding the whole country in gloom. It was a dark period for Lafayette 
College, too. I had labored for nearly a year with all the energy God had given me ; and 
so insignificant were the results that it seemed scarcely possible the college could exist 
much longer. You can therefore judge of my personal, as well as my official gratitude, 
to Mr. Pardee when I tell you that at this first interview, this noble man placed in my 
hands his obligation for $20,000. I read the paper over and over, and the more I read it 
the less I could comprehend the situation. I was, sir, as one that dreamed. And, indeed, 
how I got home that day I can scarcely remember. I do remember, however, that when 
I reached home and showed the letter to the one whose gentle sympathies had cheered 
me in so many hours of discouragement, and was the first to know and share my new joy — 
I well remember that we two knelt down together, and from my full heart there went up 
the prayer that God would reward and bless the generous donor, and that prayer I have 



E ASTON, PEiVN'A. 313 

not ceased since that time to offer daih." This was merely the beginning of that re- 
markable generosity which has made the name of Ario Pardee so dear to the friends of 
this college. 

James H, Coffin, LL. D., was born September 6, iSo6, at VVillianisburg, Mass. He was the son of Matthew Coffin 
and Betsey Allen. He attended common schools in his childhood when his health would permit, for he was a feeble 
boy. When he was nine years old he manifested the religious turn of mind for which he was so remarkable in mature 
life. At this early age he began to read the Bible systematically, and read it through six or seven times. To those 
who remember his earnest religious life, it will be no surprise to read of his constant habit of prayer in solitude in his 
boyhood. During his fourteenth year he was engaged in workuig on the farm, when his father died. His mechanical 
tastes inclined him to learn a trade, but this was relinquished, and he went to live with his uncle, Rev. Moses Hal- 
lock of Plainfield, Mass. Here he began the life of a student. He entered Amherst College in 1823, and graduated 
August 27, 1828. He was then twenty-two years of age. He had little or no means of his own when he entered col- 
lege. Friends promised to aid him, but the promises were not all fulfilled, and he supplied the deficiency by teaching. 
He taught the academy at Ogdensburg, New York, and here began those meteorological investigations which he pur- 
sued the remainder of his life. While at Ogdensburg he showed his mechanical skill by inventing and erecting a self- 
registering vane, which showed the number of hours and minutes that the wind blew from each of the thirty-two points 
of the compass during the twenty-four hours of each day. This enabled him to investigate the connection between the 
direction of the wind and other phenomena of the region. The observations on the evaporation at this place furnished 
the data on which the committee of the New York Senate relied in preparing their report on the water supply for the 
Genesee Valley canal in the winter session of 1839-40. From 1839 to 1843 he was connected with Williams College, 
and it is surprising to observe the amount of work accomplished in that brief period. The articles he there published 
are as follows : .An article on the winds of the State of New York, which was published in the Regents Reports for 1840 ; 
a series of articles published in the Pitlsfield Sun, entitled " Meteorological Observations and Researches in Williams 
College ; an elaborate article on the " Climate of the State of New York" ; a map showing the central tracks of the 
solar eclipses over the United States during the present century ; " Astronomical Tables," 1842 ; an unpublished trea- 
tise, entitled "The Moon" ; an abridgement of the above, entitled " Solar and Lunar Eclipses" ; a treatise on "Conic 
Sections." Greylock Peak, of Saddleback mountain, which rises not far from the college, is about thirty-three hun- 
dred feet high, and to ascertain the course and velocity and humidity of the winds during the winter on this summit, 
he had erected a lofty observatory, and on its top fixed numerous self-registering instruments, mainly of his own devi- 
sing. These were arranged in autumn, and, on account of deep snow were not visited till spring, when he found the 
apparatus had worked during the entire winter as satisfactorily as when first put in place. He taught in Norwalk, 
Connecticut, from 1843 to 1846, when he became Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Lafayette Col- 
lege. He had prepared the way to enlarge the field of his study so as to include the winds of the entire globe. He 
was forty years of age when he began his labors in Lafayette, and he spent twenty-seven years of active toil, taking 
charge of his classes aifd extending his researches in meteorology. Through all these years he pursued his investi- 
gations with an energy which never flagged, and succeeded in gathering a large mass of information of great value to 
the scientific world. Correspondence was carried on with all parts of the world. There was no part of the earth, 
scarcely an island of the sea, where observations had not been made, and the results laid before Professor Coffin. .At 
the College, instruments of the most delicate and accurate construction, measured the force and direction of the cur- 
rents of air. The investigations of such a mind as his, carried on with such earnestness and constancy, throughout 
forty years, resulted in laying before the world an immense amount of new information. The consequence was that 
more light has been shed on the subject of the winds than ever before in the progress of science. His object was to 
establish the fact that the different winds are regulated by laws as uniform as those which control the currents of the 
ocean. The New York Times of February 8, 1873, said : " He was a man of such e.vtreme modesty that he was never 
estimated by the public at his true worth. It is to him, in a great measure, that we owe the important position which 
the science of meteorology has of late years attained. His work on ' The Winds of the Northern Hemisphere' was one 
of the earliest efforts to ascertain and formulate the laws of the winds, and is still an authority on the topic of which it 
treats. As a mathematician he was surpassed by no man in the accuracy of his investigations, and his text-book upon 
' Analytical Geometry' is a model of clearness and brevity of style. The simplicity of his character made him wholly 
indifferent to fame, but among men of science he was known as a student whose acquirements were inferior to no living 
mathematician, and as a demonstrator who never made an error." Thus the duties he owed to his classes, a study 
sweeping over the surface of the globe, and extended astronomical and mathematical investigations were carried on 
with entire success. This remarkable man quietly and imostentatiously pursued his work until his name became so 
well known in the scientific world. "The Results of Meteorological Observations, 1S54-59," 1542 pages quarto, was 
published by order of the United States Senate. The late Rev. N. S. McFetridge very beautifully illustrated this by 
an allusion to the classics ; " jEolus is said to have given Ulysses all the winds excepting Zephyrus ; but on his way to 
Ithaca, Ulysses fell asleep in his boat, whereupon his covetous comrades, thinking it was gold in his ox-hide bag, 
opened the bag and allowed the winds to escape. It was reserved for James H. Coffin to gather up these wild, wan- 
dering winds, and trace their courses, and present them to us clothed with regular and beautiful laws." But however 



314 THE HISTORY OF 

exalted the character of Professor Coffin became in the fields of science, it shone still more clearly as a moralist and a 
Christian. This feature of his character was brought to the attention of the world, after his death, which took place on 
February 6, 1873, when he was 66 years old. He was a member of several learned societies in America and Europe, 
and one of the first eletted to membership in the National Academy of Sciences. On his tombstone in the Easton Cem- 
etery is placed a monogram illustrative of his chief discovery of "The Law of the Winds," and also an inscription taken 
from the eulogy ofU. S. Senator Trumbull, of Illinois, when the latter moved adoption of a resolution of condolence in 
the meeting of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Any notice of Dr. Coffin would be incomplete without a 
mention of his private character. At an early age he became connected with the church, and to the close of his life he 
remained a sincere and devout Christian. He was a ruling Elder in the Brainerd Church. The iWzf' York Tribune 
said : " As a private man his characteristics were kindness, integrity, and honor." Another well said : " The College 
has lost a staunch friend — one whose name has given her renown. Dear, precious, old man, whose gray hairs were a 
crown of glory, has gone from the toils of earth to the rest of heaven." Dr. T. H. Hawkes, an intimate friend 
says : " It seems to me that a more faultless character it has not been my privilege to meet. I am glad that in him have 
been illustrated the largest scientific attainments in connection with the simplest and most beautiful faith in Jesus." 
He left two children. Professor Selden J. Coffin, and a daughter, the wife of Rev. John C. Clyde, D. D,, of Blooms- 
bury, N.J. 

Francis A. Makch, LL. D., was born in Millbury, Mass., October 25, 1825, and studied in the public schools of 
Worcester, Mass. Through Hon. Alfred D. Foster, one of the examiners of these schools, he was sent to Amherst 
College, graduating in 1845 with the highest honors ; he then taught two years in Leicester Academy. Mass., and two 
years as tutor in Amherst College ; then studied law in New York City, where he was admitted to the bar in October, 
1850, and began practice. In December, 1851, being attacked with hemorrhage, he spent the winter in Cuba, then 
went to Florida : taught three years in Fredericksburg, Virginia. In 1855 he became tutor in Lafayette ; in 1S56 was 
appointed Adjunct Professor of English Literature, and in 1858 to the Professorship of the English Language and 
Comparative Philology, which is claimed to be the first instance in this country in which the English Classics, in the 
light of Modern Philology was co-ordinated with that of the Greek and Latin. His earliest publication was " The 
Relation of the Study of Jurisprudence to the Origin and Progress of the Baconian Philosophy." — Ne-w Eng lander, 
October, iS^S. He published and advocated a plan of pacification for the country, in the New i'ork Times and The 
IVorld, in 1860-1. He has contributed numerous articles in Philosophy and Philology to the American Review. His 
published works are a "Method of Philological Study of the English Language," 1H65 ; "A Parser and Analyzer for 
Beginners," 1869; "Comparative Grammar of the Anglo-Saxon Language," London, 1870; and an "Anglo-Saxon 
Reader," New York, 1870. He edited the Douglass Series of Christian Classics, embracing Latin Hymns, Eusebius, 
Athenagoras and Tertullian, 1871-6. Professor March has been connected with Lafayette College over a third of a 
century ; and during that time he has roamed through the Elysian fields of literature with youthful enthusiasm and 
untiring industry. And now at sixty-two years of age, he is recognized as the leading linguist of America. He 
received the degree of LL. D. from the College of New Jersey in 1870. A writer in the New York Times quite 
recently made an earnest effort to ascertain who is the most eminent philologist in the United States. His object was 
to obtain the critical opinion of such a man on the merits of the new universal language, Volapiik. The consensus of 
opinion favored Professor March. Professor W. D. Whitney was also a popular choice for the first place. As the 
writer was giving the result of his own investigations, and not his personal opinion, he thought it but fair to give the 
exact words of the answers to his inquiries which were uttered as follows : " Professor March is one of the foremost 
philologists of the world, and probably the finest Anglo-Saxon scholar of his day." The writer makes the inquiry, 
"Who is Professor March?" Not one in a thousand in the United States can tell. A brief reference is made to him 
in most of the American cyclopa;dias and biographical collections. The English Blue Book of talent, " Men of the 
Time," gives him a few words of description. The writer would have been content with this meagre data had he not 
accidentally procured an advance slip from the next edition of the " Dizionario Biographico Degli Scrittori Contan- 
poranei," prepared by the Italian scholar, de Gubernatis. The strangest feature of it all is that Professor March 
should be so widely quoted, and regarded as the highest authority in Europe, and yet so little known fifty miles from 
his own home. Dr. March is a zealous advocate of phonetic reform, has been president of the Spelling Reform Asso- 
ciation, and is at present chairman of the Commission of the State of Pennsylvania on Amended Orthography, mem- 
ber of the American Philosophical Society, and the American Antiquarium Society. There are in this country only 
two honorary members of the Philological Society of London — the subject of this sketch and Professor Whitney, of 
Yale. Professor March is also vice-president of the " New Shakspere Society" of London. The American Philological 
Society was organized in 1869. Professor Whitney was its first president. Professor March was president in 1873-4. 
The term of office is one year, and no president has yet filled the position for more than one term. Not the least diffi- 
cult and important of Dr. March's life work was the organization and superintendence of the large corps of American 
readers for the new English Dictionary now in process of publication by the University of Oxford. More than ijoo 
readers have been employed upon this work during the past thirty years. Over half of these were at work in England 
and the British Colonies, but about 300 Americans were thus employed under the direction of Professor March. The 
quotations amassed number in all about 3,500,000, collected from 5000 authors of all periods. The dictionary will 
contain nearly 250, Of» word.s — those ordinarily given as transitive and intransitive, adjectives used as substantives 



E ASTON, PEXy'A. 



315 



and adverbs, and nouns used also as adjectives being counted only once each. The design of the viork is to furnish 
a complete account of the meaning and history of English words now in use, or known to have been in use at any 
time in the past 700 years. Part I (A to Ant) contains 8365 words. The work will be complete in four volumes of 
about 1400 pages each, or 5600 pages in all. The work has been edited by James A. H. Murray, LL. D., president 
of the British Philological Society, and more than thirty assistant editors. Very few people have known that the very 
quiet and modest professor was thus employed with the philologists of England, in the production of the grandest and 
most important work in English literature. He attends to his daily duties in college, is seen regularly in the reading 
room perusing the public journals, and we wonder how he finds time to establish a corps of 300, to oversee their work, 
arrange and transmit the results to 
Oxford. He is a warm, devoted and 
enthusiastic friend of Lafayette, and 
has done much to give the college its 
eminence in the literary world. " Per- 
sonally, Professor March is a simple- 
mannered, kind-hearted, lovable man. 
Although past si.xty, his heart is as 
young as that of a Freshman, and it 
is said that no student has ever seen 
a frown upon his countenance. He is 
very tall, and very slim. His habits 
throughout life have been of the plain- 
est. He is very fond of children and 
may be seen playing with them on 
the walks of the college grounds. 
Should a foot-ball from the campus 
come his way he invariably stops to 
give it a friendly and vigorous kick, 
and is always rewarded by a cheer 
from the students." In the science of 
Philology the professor keeps ahead 
of the times. 

Rev. Lym.\n Coleman, D. D., 
Was born in Middlefield, Mass., June 
14, 1796. His father and grandfather 
were both physicians. His father was 
unwilling that he should study for 
theministrj'on account of his extreme 
bashfulness, as he thought he would 
be unable to face a congregation from 
the pulpit. He was so decided in his 
opposition that he refused to aid him. 
Mr. Coleman went to Yale literally 
without means, but, by teaching and 
the aid of friends he graduated in 
1S17, and for three years was principal 
of the Latin Grammar School at Hart- 
ford, Conn., and subsequently a tutor 
at Yale for four years, where he studied 
theology. By teaching he paid the 
money he had borrowed of friends 
while in college. In 1S2S he became 
pastor of the Congregational Church 
at Belchertown, Mass., and held the 
charge for seven years. He was afterwards principal of the Burr Seminary, Vermont, five years ; then principal of 
the English Department of Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., five years. He then went to Europe and spent two 
years in Germany in study under Neander, and in travel, and on his return was appointed Professor of German in the 
College of New Jersey, from which he received the degree of S. T. D. The next fourteen years of his life were spent in 
connection with different literary institutions in Amherst, Mass., and Philadelphia. He revisited Europe in 1856, and 
extended his travels to the Holy Land, the Desert and Egypt, and in 1861 he became Professor of Ancient Languages 
in Lafayette. His principal published works are " The Antiquities of the Christian Church," " The Apostolical and 




Rev. Lyman Colem.\n, D. D., 
Late Professor of Ancient Languages in Lafayette College. 



3i6 THE HISTORY OF 

Primitive Church," " An Historical Geography of the Bible," " Ancient Christianity Exemplified," " Historical Text- 
book and Atlas of Biblical Geography." These have been published in England. He also compiled the genealogy of 
the Lyman family, and contributed a number of articles to the .American Quarterlies. He ended his life at Lafayette. 
The writer well remembers his tall, massive form, slowly wending its way to his pew in the house of God. He was 
just then closing the toils of a long life, and quietly, yet heroically, walking into the shadows of life's evening. While 
thus stepping into the twilight he wrote the following beautiful sentiment to a friend : " The wave of the ocean rises 
and rolls in a restless tide for a time, alternately gilded by sunshine and darkened by storm, then sinks and is mixed with 
its original element. Such is our life." Few instrutlors had more sympathy for their pupils. He had been schooled 
in adversity. He used to say that " The highest idea of education is to overcome difficulties." He had met many and 
bravely conquered. He died March 16, 18S2, in the S6th year of his life. Dr. Coleman was no ordinary man. He has 
been properly styled one of " Nature's Noblemen." He was scrupulously observant of the courtesies of life. His 
constant feeling was that religion should make a man a gentleman. He was a man of strong convittions, and with the 
courage of his opinions, never afraid to give expression of them, but was very careful not to wound the feelings of the 
very humblest. He was a pure man. Pure in thought, pure in word, he leaves an unblemished life behind him. Dr. 
Coleman manifested his interest in Lafayette by establishing the Coleman prizes. This endowment yields an annual 
income of sixty dollars, from which prizes are given to those students who lead the respective divisions of their class 
in Biblical studies. 

In 1869 Mr. Pardee's gifts had amounted to $200,000, and upon this basis was first 
established a new curricuhini of scientific studies. For the development of this plan a 
new and special building was needed. For this purpose a year or two after, Mr. Pardee 
made a further gift of $250,000 ; to which he afterward added the gift of $50,000 more 
for its scientific equipment. At this princely munificence the trustees must also have 
doubted whether they were in real life, and not in the land of dreams. An immense 
building was to be erecfted ; there was no desirable site for it and no place to put it, unless 
some of the professors' houses should be moved. This was soon done, and in eighteen 
months the largest and most complete scientific college building in the United States 
stood upon the grand plateau, the pride and crown of Easton, to be a perpetual memorial 
of the liberality and far-reaching wisdom of him whose name it bears. The building is 
five stories high, fifty-three feet front, and eighty-three feet deep, with two lateral wings, 
one on each side of the centre building, measuring si.xty-one feet in length, and thirty- 
one in width ; four stories high, including a Mansard roof, the whole terminating in two 
cross wings forty-two feet front, eighty-four feet deep and four stories high. The entire 
length of the front, in a straight line, is two hundred and fift}--six feet. The material is 
the Trenton brown-stone, with trimming of light Ohio sand-stone. 

The great building was completed in 1873, and upon the 21st of October of that 
year was formally handed over to the trustees by the munificent donor. This building 
was destroyed by fire on the evening of June 4th, 1879. It was rebuilt on the same site, 
of the same dimensions and external appearance, and was mainly paid for by the money 
realized from the policies of insurance. The ladies of Easton aided in furnishing the 
interior of the hall. In rebuilding, the interior was greatly improved, as experience of 
the first structure had suggested. 

The reopening was celebrated with appropriate ceremonies by a great concourse of 
the friends of education from far and near, on the 30th of November, 1880. An assembly 
so distinguished has rarely gathered in honor of any educational foundation in this country. 
His Excellency, Rutherford B. Hayes, President of the United States, with members of 
his Cabinet, the General of the Army, and the Commissioner of Education, His Excel- 
lency, Henry M. Hoyt, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State 
Superintendent of Education, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
Church, and the Moderator of the Synod of Philadelphia, were present and participated 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 317 

in the festivities of the occasion. The Board of Trustees determined that the whole 
Scientific Department shall be impressed with the Christian character of the college. In 
addition to the systematic and thorough study of the word of God in all the classes, 
special attention is given to the harmony of science with revealed religion. 

A description of the interior of the hall will be given in the words of Professor 
March : "If we explore the east wings of Pardee Hall, we shall find them full of the 
apparatus of manipulation. Work-rooms for the department of mechanics and physical 
laboratories are the main features of the first and second floors. The third and fourth 
floors are occupied by the department of civil engineering. They are stored with instru- 
ments for work in the field, and fitted up for industrial drawing and office work. In 
another part of the building there are rooms for other kinds of drawing, and labora- 
tories for work in botany and natural history. A separate building is devoted to the 
laboratories of Chemistry, and another to the Astronomical Observatory. Let us pass 
over to the western wings of the hall. Here we find the apparatus of the classificatory 

sciences — Mineralogy , 
^ - - ' ' ' ^^ Botany, Natural History, 

JstSi- ■ ^B^ Geology. In room beyond 

room are marshalled cabi- 
nets and collections of min- 
erals, plants and animals. 
Here the student is to learn 
the uses of all natural ob- 
jects, and those relations 
of each to all others which 
tell us where to find them. 
He learns where to look 
for gold, where for pyrites, 
and where for coal and 
Pardee Haul. "'O" 5 ^^^^ plants grow 

in what places, and what 
animals with them, what interdependencies are to be found among all creatures. Here 
he may learn to frame schemes of production or traffic which include the world. We will 
pass on to the centre of the building. Here, as of right, are the library, colledlions of 
art and antiquities, lecture rooms for history, social science and language, the society 
halls, and the great auditorium. And with these should be counted in other buildings, 
other le(5lure rooms for languages, the Greek room, and all the rest ; and the reading 
room, dear to all the students of Lafayette. These may be called apparatus for the study 
of man and training for the mastery of men. Here are the laboratories of mind. Here 
are the cabinets of thought." Professor March closes his address by putting on record 
the following action of the Faculty, taken in 1874 : 

"Whereas, It has been held seemly to honor intelligent munificence, and for Chris- 
tian scholars to tenderly preserve the memor>- of promoters of science and learning, and 
for learned foundations to have set times to honor their founder and cherish his grateful 
remembrance ; and 

Whereas, The celebration of such deeds of munificence is a powerful means of 




3i8 



THE HISTORY OF 



inciting yonth to imitate them, and of training them np to all those liberal acts and 
thonghts which are the frnits of the highest culture ; therefore be it 

Resolved, That to-morrow, the 21st day of October, being the first anniversary of 
the formal opening and dedication of Pardee Hall, the usual lecftures and recitations be 
suspended, and the day marked by appropriate exercises; and that hereafter the Wednes- 
day following the 21st day of Oc?tober in each year be recognized as the anniversary of 
the founding and gift of Pardee Hall, and that it be set apart forever by Lafayette 
College, its Faculty and 
students, under the name of 
Founder's Day, as a day of 
commemoration of the founder, 
Ario Pardee." 

The Pardee Scientific 
Department (well supplied with 
the best of apparatus, by which 
the facts and laws of Natural 
Science are illustrated) was 
early placed under the over- 
sight of Dr. Traill Green, as 
Dean. 

Traili, Green, M- D., LL. D., 
Was born iu Easton, Pa., May 25', 1S13 
He is the son of Benjamin Green 
Dr. Traill Green's father was a son 
of Richard, whose father's nanu 
was Richard, who was a son of Wil- 
liam Green, who came from Eng- 
land iu the opening of the eighteenth 
century. William married to a Miss 
Joanna Reeder, a daughter of John 
Reader, who had just come from 
England, and with whom Mr. Green 
became acquainted on Long Island. 
He built the first brick house in 
Ewing, which is still standing, and 
bears the date 1717 on the west end 
of the house. The fifth generation 
of Greens still occupy the house. 
Elizabeth, the mother of Dr. Green, 
was a daughter of Robert Traill, who 
was a son of Rev. Thomas Traill and 
Sabilla Grant, who was a daughter of 
Rev. Alexander Grant of South Ron- 
aldsay of the Island of Sande.one of the 
Orkneys. Thus we see our venerable 
townsman is of good blood and strong stock. The Celtic stock of the Highlands is visible both in his phy- 
siognomy and in the vigor of his moral and religious character He graduated at the Minerva Seminary, the 
famous school under the care of Dr. Vanderveer. In this school he made such proficiency in the classics that 
his teacher offered to procure for him a professorship in college. But not wishing to be diverted from his orig- 
inal intention to study medicine, he went directly to the Pennsylvania University, graduated, and immediatelj- 
entered upon the duties of his profession in Easton. In 1S37 he became Professor of Chemistry in Lafayette. 




Traill Green, M. D., LL. D., 
Professor of Chemistry, Dean of Pardee Scientific Department. 



E ASTON, PEiVN'A. 319 

In 1S41 he received the degree of A. M. from Rutgers College, aud the same year he was called to the chair of 
Natural Sciences in Marshall College, at Mercersburg, where he remained till he returned to Easton in 1847, 
and the following year resumed the Professorship of Chemistry, which he still holds. In 1866 he received the 
degree of LL. D , from Washington and Jefferson College. When Dr. Cattell became President of the College, 
at his own expense Dr. Green erected the Astronomical Observatory, north of Jenks Hall. It is built of blue 
liuie-stone, and cost f 15,000. It consists of a tower and two transit rooms, with lecture room attached. It is 
fitted up with a revolving dome and telescope, a transit instrument, and other apparatus for the observation of 
astronomical phenomena and for the thorough study of astronomy. The transit of Venus in 1882 was success- 
fully observed in it by Prof. Coffin, Dr. Traill Green and his son Dr. Edgar M. Green ; for Dr. Green is a thorough 
scientist, and has always kept abreast the advancing lines. He has been for forty years a member and Fellow of 
the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Upon the completion of Pardee Hall, Dr. Green 
organized the Pardee Scientific Department, and is its Dean. He was the first President of the American Acad- 
emy of Medicine, and a member of other scientific bodies. In 1881 he pronounced the annual address before 
the alumni of the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. He wears his honors easily, and 
seems unconscious of his worth. The Doctor is now seventy-five years of age, and yet his heart is as buoyant as 
if the sun were shining at noon, instead of descending toward the western hills. The fires of intellect still burn 
brightly as was evident in his masterly defence of the former physicians of Easton, from the aspersions of Dr. 
Gross. It is well for the reputation of Easton physicians that Dr. Green wielded so trenchant a pen. The de- 
fense was the cause of many thanks from near and distant friends of the dead physicians. For more than fifty 
vears he has followed his profession, and is still active in his work. He always carries a sunbeam into the sick- 
room, and his pleasant and hopeful countenance, and cheerful words are often as potent as the medicine admin- 
istered. In his case we see the highest attainments in science beautifully blended with the humblest faith in 
the Gospel. In this age it is encouraging to see such a man walking so confidently on the bright mountains of 
science, and so humbly in the valley of Christian contentment. He has been for manj' years a ruling elder in 
the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, and a director in many local societies of trust. 

Throughout Pardee Hall the greatest care has been taken to provide for the needs 
of students in the pursuit of scientific investigation. A short distance southwest of 
this building stands Jenks' Chemical Hall. It is built of lime-stone, two-stories, with a 
Mansard roof, sixty-four feet front and seventy-five feet in depth, at a cost of $22,000. 

North of these beautiful buildings lies the main part of the campus. Here much 
interest is concentrated in the season of out-door sports, in the assemblage of crowds of 
spectators, who are gathered to witness the various athletic games, foot-ball, base-ball, 
lawn-tennis, and the like, for all of which there is abundant accommodation, with room 
enough and to spare. 

Beyond this rises a row of neat brick buildings — the homes of the students — desig- 
nated from the names of liberal donors to the college funds. In order, from West to East, 
their names are Blair Hall, Newkirk Hall, McKeen Hall, Martien Hall, Powel Hall, 
and East Hall. The halls are all plain buildings, except McKeen Hall, which has brown- 
stone quoins and window trimmings, with porch, ornamental cornice, and a balustrade 
around the entire roof. There are also buildings for the residences of professors, many 
of which have been built since the erecftion of Pardee Hall. The events in the history 
of twelve years of the life of Lafayette College are unparalleled in the history of any 
educational institution in America. In 1863, after the struggles of nearly forty years, the 
end seemed to have come. The question was freely and painfully discussed as to whether 
the doors of the college should be closed; but in 1875 she stood in the front rank among the 
colleges of America. Her students in 1863 were thirty-nine in number; in 1875 the num- 
ber was three hundred and nineteen, and the college plateau was dotted with most beauti- 
ful and costly buildings, and Pardee Hall had risen on the scene as if by magic. Beautiful 
carriage ways and winding foot-paths, and artistic terracing, tasteful shrubbery, ornamental 



320 



THE HISTORY OF 




I JlFA\PTTF (SOUTH; LOLLLCh 

trees, and beds of brilliant flowers, make the grounds around the college buildings a scene 
of beauty rarely excelled. 

The following graphic description is taken from Scribiicr' s Montlily for December, 
1876: "Going north from fountain-green, down (Third street) we cross Bushkill Creek, 
and at the northern end of the bridge we are confronted by a hill which is almost a cliff 
that rises swift and steep to the plateau where is seated Lafayette College. Formerly the 
only method of reaching the summit, save by a long detour, was by clambering up a steep 
flight of plank steps springing on stilts of rude carpentry, from ledge to ledge, and 
trembling with the weight of the adventurous climber. The dizzy scaffolding of stairs 
which, in that day, led on and up to the college reminded the traveler of those crazy and 
.slippery timber ladders of the Leuken Bad, in .Switzerland, which lead up to the moun- 
tain town of Albiuen. The foot passenger can now, however, reach the heights of the 
Lafayette plateau by stone steps, massive and broad, supported by masonry and zigzag- 
ging along the practicable ledges of the pidluresque hill-side. Wending up, under shade 
of cedars, of nettle trees, of wild roses, and festoons of the Virginia creeper, the visitor 
will reach, two hundred feet above the river, a little bastion, supported by rusticated 
stone-work, on which stands a monumental granite soldier, commemorative of ' the dead 
in the war.' Thirty feet higher, by two more flights of stone steps, which were eredled 
by the gift of the class of 1880, the general level of the Lafayette plateau is reached, and 
from here an embowered straight walk leads directly to the cential entrance of the orig- 



EA STOJV, PENN'A . 



321 



inal college building. Before passing up the walk to the college the Eastonian will of a 
surety call your attention to the view southward, over the town, from the crown of the 
hill. You stand there, at the head of the last flight of steps, in the axis of the main street 
of Easton. Immediately before you, and below you, the granite sentinel is holding his 
steady guard. Thence, the hill you have climbed plunges down under its wilderness of 
leaves to the Third street bridge over the Bushkill. From the banks of the Bushkill the 
broad street far below you sweeps straight southward, hemmed by houses, and trees, and 
spires, it swings round the leafy circlet of the fountain green, and stretches away amid 
other and lower houses along a gentle descent till it terminates at the Lehigh ; beyond 
this rise the tall hills of South Easton. To the right, westerly, the town creeps up a 




THE CAMPUS ON CLASS-DAY 

gentle ascent, upon which break bolder and bolder heights — some peopled, some tilled, 
some unkempt and wild. To the left are other and more closely packed roofs, trending 
down to the Delaware, of which you see a broad, shining light and have a view of its 
bridges crossing to the shores of New Jersey, where smoke the furnaces of Phillipsburg. 
Altogether, it is a scene of busy adlivity, of quiet, far-away hill sides, of near tangled 
wildness, of river spaces, of deep valley-clefts, of trailing barges, of railways over rail- 
ways, and never-ending scurry of trains that can hardly be matched. It is no wonder 
the towns people are proud of the views ; it is no wonder that younglings of either sex 
come hither in pairs in the summer twilight to linger and look off on a scene of such 
varied beautv." 



322 



THE HISTORY OF 



Lafayette still retains the old classical course of study, believing in the virtue of Greek, 
Latin, and Hebrew too, requiring the usual four years' training, with little change or omission 
of the old standard authors, beyond the modifications that have everywhere been necessi- 
tated by the claims of literature and the natural sciences for a share of the time that was 
devoted in former generations solely to the trivium of Languages, Mathematics and 
Philosophy. But while Harvard and Princeton are warmly debating the question of 
introducing a scientific course, teaching the modern, in place of the dead languages, in- 
volving a knowledge of Civil Engineering, Mining, a thorough knowledge of Chemistry, 
Mineralogy, adapted to the dififerent aims and tastes of young men, Lafayette has, 
since 1866, been affording students the privilege of pursuing a course of study as above 




INC. ROOM 



indicated. So that Lafayette now occupies the position of a university in which the 
varied courses may be pursued with advantages not excelled by any colleges in the 
country. In addition to this, Lafayette was not only among the first, but the very first, 
to introduce the thorough philological study of our mother tongue. This was done under 
the personal diretlion of Prof. F. A. March, LL. D. , the well known author of a "Com- 
parative Grammar of the English Language." Originally intended for students familiar 
with Latin, Greek and French, it compared the Anglo-Saxon with Greek, Latin, Gothic, 
Old Saxon, and Old High German. General principles of phonology are first laid down ; 
and then parallel paradigms of the inflecflion forms in the.se languages are given, and the 
Anglo-Saxon explained under their guidance. The author in this way introduces the 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



323 



student to the methods of the modern science of language in connection with the study 
of Anglo-Saxon, so that our mother tongue may share the powers of this new science. 
Thus in method and substance, as thorough and scientific study is given to a portion of 
the Anglo-Saxon as can be given to the Greek or Latin, with the ordinary college text- 
books. This is American in its origin, and the honor of introducing it into college 
studies belongs to Lafayette. 

In mining and engineering, Lafayette offers exceptional advantages. For instance : 
Does the professor talk of bridge construction, his illustrations (as perfedl as are to be 
found in America) are before his eyes. Does he talk of grades and curves, every fashion 




OBSERVATORY. 

and expedient are within an afternoon's walk. Does he talk of shafts and lodes, the near 
valley offers every variety of example. Is it a question of ores, and puddling and slag, 
the furnace fires are blazing on the horizon every night. Or does the ambitious student 
desire inspiration in the business world, standing on Mount Lafayette, he can witness the 
passing of a hundred trains daily on the six railroads centering on the banks of the Dela- 
ware and across those beautiful iron bridges that look like spiders' webs in the distance. 
Or, does he wish to hold communion with nature in her lovely forms, taking his stand on 
Mount Olympus, as far as the eye can reach, mountains and valleys, hills and dales, rivers 
and plains of two States present a scene upon which the imagination can gaze with 
wonder and delight. 



324 



THE HISTORY OF 



The administration of President Cattell extended from 1864 to 18S4, a period of 
twenty years. When he came to the presidency, the building now occupied by the 
treasurer and Dr. March, and the central portion of South College, with three professors' 
residences, were the only buildings on the campus. The President "labored with all the 
energy God had given him " for the good of the institution over whose prosperity he was 
to watch. Led and sustained by the hand of God, he was enabled to lift the institution 
out of the shadows into the clear light of life and usefulness. The six buildings on the 
north of the campus for students' homes, Jenks' Hall on the south, the Astronomical 
Observatory, the two wings of South College, and Pardee Hall in the centre, are the 
result of the busv toil of this administration. For some time toward the close of Dr. 




Cattell's labors, efforts had been made to build a gymnasium. The money had been 
raised by him and the building was in process of eredlion when Dr. Cattell retired. The 
building is 45 by 80 feet, is of brick, and is in the style of the gymnasium of the Van- 
derbilt University at Nashville. The side walls are twenty-one feet high, leaving a dis- 
tance of about thirty-four feet between the floor and the roof. There are galleries at each 
end of the interior of the building for the convenience of those who wish to witness the 
exercises, and many avail themselves of the privilege. The alumni dinners and most of 
the banquets are now held in this building. The students are under the careful training of 
Prof. Charles IMcIntire, M. D. , who takes a deep interest in the work. The basement is 
fitted up with bath-rooms, closets, lavatories, with every convenience which the principles 



EASTON, PENN'A. 



of hygiene could suggest. Towers set diagonally at each corner of the building make it 
as attraclive outside as it is useful inside. The building is beautifully situated on slighth^ 
elevated ground, just north of and between South College and Treasurer's building. The 
cost of the stru6lure is about fifteen thousand dollars. 

Professor Selden Jennings Coffin, Ph. D., was born at Ogdensburg, N. Y., August 3, 1838, and is the 
son of Professor James H. Coffin, LL. D., late professor in Lafayette College. He graduated with honor at 
Lafayette, in 1858, having been the English .sal utatorian. He taught for two years, and then pursued a full theo- 
logical course at Princeton, where he grad- 
uated in 1S64. He was licensed to preach 
the gospel April 20, 1864, and ordained by 
the Presbytery of Lehigh, January 6, 1874. 
From 1864 he was successively tutor, ad- 
juu<5l professor and Hollenback professor 
of mathematics and astronomy, until 1886, 
when by reason of a severe throat ail- 
ment he felt called upon to resign ; since 
which time he has served the college effi- 
ciently in the office of Registrar. Being 
quite familiar with the life-work of his 
father, he drew the charts and completed 
his posthumous work on the "Winds of 
the Globe." It was well for the scientific 
world that he had become so familiar with 
meteorological investigations that hecould 
take up the work where it was left, and 
prepare the report as he did and with such 
entire satisfatlion. On its publication, in 
1S76, he received the degree of Ph. D. from 
Hanover College. He became Fellow of 
the American Association for the Advance- 
ment of Science. He is a member of the 
Pennsylvania Historical Societ)', and of 
the Moravian Historical Society ; presi- 
dent of his theological class, secretary of 
his college class, and has been for thirty 
years secretary of the Alumni Association 
in Lafayette College. In 1879 he pub- 
lished the "Men of Lafayette," pp. 358, 
8 vo. In three campaigns of the war he 
was a<5lively engaged in the service of the 
U. S. Christian Commission, laboring in 
the field in the relief of the sick and 
wounded soldiers ; in 1S64, being specially 
appointed to establish "diet kitchens" in 
the command of General B. F. Butler. In 

1S76 he was one of the commissioners appointed by the State to organize the educational exhibit of Pennsyl- 
vania for the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, in which his specific work was to arrange the exhibit 
from the colleges of Pennsylvania, and which he received complimentary mention. 




Selden J. Coffin, 
Professor and Registrar, Lafayette College. 



THE FUNDS OF THE COLLEGE. 



At the beginning of Dr. Cattell's administraton the capital stock of Lafayette was 
$66,671.41. At the close, a period of twenty years, it was $861,062.94. A large part of 
this invested capital is non-produClive : as the buildings and grounds, $446,435 ; apparatus. 



326 THE HISTORY OF 

^87,754; libraries and scientific collecftions, $40,266. The productive investments, dor- 
mitories and students homes, $67,726; houses for professors, $69,049. Amount of other 
investments at par value, $121,979. Total, $257,978. From these produ<?tive funds there 
is an annual income of about $13,000. "It should be known, however, by the friends of 
the college, that this sum, added to the fees of the students, is very far from being suffi- 
cient to meet the current expenses of the institution. While the special and eleClive 
courses of study have greatly increa.sed the number of students they have also increased 
the number of teachers required, and this number cannot be reduced without greatly 
impairing the efficiency of the instru6lion. There is an annual deficit of about $15,000 
to be supplied by private subscription, or taken from the invested funds. Since 1879 this 
deficit has been met by subscription at the close of the year ; and has been made up largely 
by the trustees. At this point the pressing needs of Lafayette appear. A further invest- 
ment of $250,000 would place the college on the high plane of self-reliance, and drive 
anxious care from the hearts of many of her warm friends. During the history of the 
wonderful progress of Lafayette there are a few names that cannot be passed by : William 
Adamson, of Philadelphia ; Thomas Beaver, of Danville ; George B. Markle, of Phila- 
delphia ; John Welles Hollenback, of Wilkes-Barre, have endowed professorships in the 
sum of $30,000. Mr. Benjamin Douglass, of New York City, endowed for a term of 
years the chairs for teaching the Latin and Greek in the elective course of Christian 
authors. In 1872 the citizens of Easton contributed $22,624 to complete the east wing of 
the South College, and in the same year $4,700 toward the new chapel; to which also 
Mrs. W. C. Ferriday and Mrs. Ellen J. Welles (Wyalusing, Pa.) contributed $5,000 each. 
The treasurer's books show the following contributions: John A. Brown, $20,000; John 
I. Blair, $17,000. He has since given $40,000 to endow the president's chair, and $15,000 
to pay for the home of Dr. Cattell for future presidents, making $72,000. William E. 
Dodge and Jo.seph H. Scran ton, each $15,000 ; Barton H. Jenks, Thomas L. McKeen and 
Mrs. William C. Cattell, each $10,000; Selden T. Scranton, $7,500; Alfred Martien and 
Benjamin G. Clarke, each $6,000 ; Morris Patterson, Rev. Matthew Newkirk, John Taylor 
Johnson, Alexander Whilldin, Thomas Dickson, G. Dawson Coleman and Matthew Baird, 
each $5,000. This gives us an inside view of the era of Lafayette's great prosperity. 
The student who is looking for a college in which to prepare for the struggle of life turns 
his mind toward Lafayette. 

I. THE CLASSICAL COURSE. 

The graduates in this course receive the usual degree of Bachelor of Arts. This 
course embodies the standard means of liberal training, and is therefore the course to 
which the others conform, so far as is consistent with their specific aim, in their general 
spirit and design. It is fully equal in organization and thoroughness to the under-grad- 
uate course of our best colleges, and affords the amplest facilities for the study of the 
Ancient Languages. 

n. THE GENERAL SCIENTIFIC COURSE. 

This and the three courses which follow are endowed by Mr. Pardee, and constitute 
the Pardee Scientific Department of Lafayette College. This course is parallel with the 
Classical Course of the college, except that the Philological study of the English and 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 327 

other Modern Languages takes the place of Ancient Languages. It is designed, therefore, 
for those who wish to study the Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Modern Languages and 
Literature, History, Mental and Moral Philosophy, Rhetoric and Logic, as a substantial 
basis of knowledge and scholarly culture, and who would be glad to enjoy the cultivation 
and learned habits and associations of college life, but who will not study Greek and Latin. 
Graduates receive the degree of Bachelor of Science ; or, for those taking the eletlive 
course in Latin, Bachelor of Philosophy. 

III. THE COURSE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING. 

Graduates receive the degree of Civil Engineer. This course is designed to give 
professional preparation for the location, construdtion and superintendence of railways, 
canals and other public works ; the trigonometrical and topographical surveys of states, 
counties, etc. ; the survey of lakes and harbors ; and the direction of their improvement ; 
the design, constru6lion and use of steam engines and other motors, and of mechanics in 
general ; and the construction of geometrical, topographical and machine drawings. 
IV. THE COURSE IN MINING AND METALLURGY. 

Graduates receive the degree of Mining Engineer. This course offers the means of 
special preparation for exploring undeveloped mineral resources, and for taking charge of 
mining and metallurgical works. It includes instrudlion in engineering as conne<5led 
with the survey and construdlion of mines, with the construdlion and adjustment of 
machines, and with machine drawings ; also, instru6lion in Chemistry and Assaying, as 
applied to the manipulation of ores and other minerals. 

V. THE COURSE IN CHEMISTRY. 

Graduates receive the degree of Bachelor of Science. This course includes text- 
book study, ledlures and laboratory pradlice, every facility for which is found in the exten- 
sive laboratories of Pardee Hall. Particular attention is given to the Chemistry of Agri- 
culture, Medicine, IMetallnrgy and the Manufadluring Processes. 
VI. POST-GRADUATE COURSES. 

Designed for graduates of colleges or scientific schools, and others having suitable 
preparation. Such persons may pursue advanced studies in any department, under the 
diredlion and instrudlion of the professor in that department, and may have use of the 
laboratories, apparatus, colledions and libraries of the college while prosecuting their 
researches. Those who complete a three years' course in these post-graduate studies 
receive the degree of Do6lor of Philosophy. 

Rev. Dr. Paxton, in a large gathering at Princeton, said, "While other colleges were 
surrendering to Darwin and the Devil, Princeton pursued the even tenor of her way." 
If that be true of Princeton it is eminently so of Lafayette. She was founded in the 
spirit of prayer, and has been the objecft of humble prayer for more than fifty years, and 
is so still. The beautiful hill-top has been the scene of many precious revivals which 
have sent her missionaries to the ends of the earth. The religious speculative skepticism 
of the day finds no sympathy at Lafayette. That phase of pious speculation which tends 
to dethrone Moses and the Prophets jars very harshly amid the sacred memories of Brain- 
erd; and to all such teachings we can only say, "■ Prociil, O, prociil, cstc profani:' Is 



328 THE HISTORY OF 

was a happy thought of Benjamin Douglass, Esq., that if young Christian gentlemen wish 
to become acquainted with the noble languages of antiquity they should learn them in 
Christian, instead of Pagan authors. The sensual stories of the old poets are to be set 
aside, and the Latin and Greek of the early Christian heroes to take their places. And 
for this Dr. March pleads most eloquently. "If these standards are well set, if truth is 
more beautiful than beauty, if power is more graceful than grace, if those books are the 
highest educational powers which contain the noblest delineations of character, there 
would seem to be one class of authors who have not been used to the full, I mean the 
early Christian writers in Greek and Latin. It is the great facfl of history that the sen- 
sualism of Rome and Greece, the best side of which Horace has so well sung, gave place 
to self-abnegation, to heroism, to a virtue which rejoiced in pain and sufiFering for the love 
of truth. To read the expression of this new charadler, when that expression was acftion, 
and a man put his life and death on each word, is high reading. The Latin hymns, too, 
have the right ring. There was no original poetry in the heathen Latin verses. The repe- 
tition of these Greek prettinesses never roused the Roman. His characfler was stern, hard 
and fierce. His mind was bent on empire. Death did not daunt him. To suffer and die 
with rejoicing for truth suited men of the blood of Regulus and Curtius, and roused their 
faculties at last to the height of song. The love of Christ melted them. They burst the 
shackles of the Greek meters, shook ofT the stiffness of the Latin syntax, and sang the 
early Christian hymns. It is strange that our children should spend years on the faint 
Homeric echoes of Virgil, and commit to memory the graceful epicureanism of Horace, 
and never see the Dies irae. There is no ode of Horace, or any ode of a heathen Roman, 
that on the ground of its power, its harmony, its influence, its fame, has a hundredth part 
of the claim to the careful study of our scholars." God hasten the day when Christian 
classics shall take the place of the classics of Greece and Rome which must be expur- 
gated to make them fit for young people to read. All honor to Lafayette for this step in 
the right diretl:ion. 

WILLIAM CASSADY CATTELL. 
[From "Prominent Pennsylvanians."] 

William Cassady Cattell, D. D., LL. D., a distinguished educator and preacher, was born at Salem, New 
Jersey, August 30, 1827. As a Ijoy he attended the private schools of Salem, and in 1848 graduated at Princeton Col- 
lege. Having the ministry in view, he entered the Princeton Theological Seminary and graduated there in 1852. 

He began his work as an educator in 1S53, as Associate Principal of the Edge Hill School at Princeton. In 1S55 
he was eletted Professor of Ancient Languages at Lafayette College, where his fine scholarship and his remarkable 
ability as a teacher made him very popular among the students. In 1859 he was elected a member of the Board of 
Trustees, and at once displayed the executive ability that was afterwards so conspicuous when he was placed, four 
years later, at the head of the college. 

He resigned his chair at Lafayette to become the first pastor of the Pine Street Presbyterian Church at Harris- 
burg, where he was installed by the Presbytery of Carlisle in the spring of i860. His pastoral work there began just 
before the breaking out of the civil war, and it continued during the time that city was as one great camp, down to the 
closing days of 1863 ; and the writer of the letter adds : " In the urgent demands made upon the citizens of Harris- 
burg, when the bloody battles fought in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania filled the hospitals of the city with 
thousands of wounded soldiers, no one was more a<5live to relieve the sick or more tenderly ministered to the dying, 
than the pastor of the Pine Street Church." 

The pulpit utterances of such a man could not fail to attrafl public attention, and the Harrisburg Telegraph, in 
referring to one of his sermons repeated by request, says : " The crowd on the occasion was greater than any which 
ever assembled to hear the delivery of any sermon in the city. The church was thronged long before the appointed 
hour for the delivery of the sermon, while the sidewalks in the vicinity of the church were covered with a patient mass 
of men and women anxious to get within hearing distance." 




WILLIAM CASSADY CATTELL, D. D., LL. D. 
Ex-President Lafayette College. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 329 

It was in Oaober, 1863, that he was called from the work he so successfully conduaed at Harrisburg to a new and 
wider sphere of usefulness— the crowning work of his life— to the Presidency of Lafayette College. 

The general depression which followed the outbreak of the war was felt very seriously at Lafayette. In 
August of 1863, President McPhail resigned, and a special meeting of the Board of Trustees was called in Philadel- 
phia "to take into consideration the propriety of suspending operations under increasing embarrassments," and it 
seemed as if the doors of the institution would be permanently closed. 

President Cattell entered upon his duties in Ocflober, 1863, and was inaugurated in the old college chapel at the 
ensuing Commencement, July, 1864. Governor Pollock, President of the Board of Trustees, in his introduaory 
address, after referring to the recent discouragements and gloom of the friends of the college, says: "At this hour, 
and in analogy with nature, now robed in sunshine and smiling after the storm, the light of a genial sun now pouring 
down upon us through the riven and scattered clouds, Lafayette College stands revealed in the light of returning 
prosperity, and all without betokens favor, success and triumph ! We have met to-day to witness the inauguration of 
one well known and appreciated by you all, and who has been honored by a most happy, cordial and unanimous 
selection by the Synod and Board of Trustees. We present him to you as the scholar and the man— the highest style 
of man— the Christian gentleman, and one who combines in a remarkable degree the quiet dignity of the Christian 
minister, the accomplishments of the scholar, and the no less important qualifications of an administrative officer." 

And Professor March, in the "College Book" (published by Houghton, Osgood & Co., Boston, 1878), says: " He 
had been everywhere greatly successful. ' The new President,' says Ik. Marvel, who knows him, 'has wondrous win- 
ning ways.' Things began at once to brighten. The alumni showed new interest in the college; students began to 
come in ; donations of money were obtained which relieved immediate wants ; but the first great ' winning' was the 
good will of Mr. A. Pardee, of Hazleton, and the demonstration of it (his first gift of $20,000 to the college) was 
described by Dr. Cattell, at a banquet given to him by the citizens of Philadelphia, in 1869, upon the eve of his depar- 
ture for Europe. 

Every well-informed friend of education is familiar with the rapid and steady growth of Lafayette College under 
the administration of President Cattell. It has been described by the graceful pen of Mr. Donald G. Mitchell (Ik. 
Marvel) in Scribner's Magazine (December, 1876), and more fully by Professor Owen, in his " Historical Sketches of 
Lafayette College," prepared during the centennial year at the request of the United States Commissioner of Education. 

In 1863 the curriculum at Lafayette was the traditional college course, based mainly on the study of Latin and 
Greek, but the second year of President Cattell's administration was signalized by a large advance in the direaion of 
scientific studies. The classical course was still continued. In faa, the catalogue stated that the policy at Lafayette 
would be to give it greater efficiency year by year, " not only as the regular introduaion to the special professional 
study of theology, medicine, law and teaching, but also as a thoroughly tried means of securing the culture and eleva- 
tion of mind, and of imparting the useful and liberal learning which becomes a Christian scholar." But new courses 
of scientific, technical and post-graduate studies were successively added until "under this administration Lafayette 
has risen to her present commanding position, embracing departments of instruction widely different in specific scope 
and aim, yet brought into stimulating contact, and so into the unity of a harmonious progress" (Prof Owen's Sketches). 
Of course this rapid and splendid development, the history of which, says the New York Christian Weekly, " reads 
like a romance," required the expenditure of large sums of money for the new buildings with their scientific equip- 
ment, and for the support of the increased number of professors. And from all sides, in response to the appeals of 
the enthusiastic and ever-hopeful president, came the donations, so that the capital stock of the college, which in 1863 
was scarcely $50,000, rose in a few years to nearly a million. The hard times commencing in 1873, and which pro- 
duced for many years such financial distress throughout the country, seriously crippled President Cattell in his plans 
for the continued increase of the college endowments. But the printed tables accompanying his annual report to the 
trustees show that in 1879, after four years of heroic struggle, the current e.xpenses of the college were fully met and 
the "capital stock" again increased. These tables report the same gratifying results each year till the close of his 
administration, notwithstanding the added strain and toil to the president that followed the destruaion of Pardee 
Hall by fire in 1S79. 

President Cattell always aimed to continue in the college the Christian work begun by his pious predecessors. 
The subjea of his inaugural address was " The Bible as a College Text-Book." The year following his inauguration 
a religious revival took place, which Professor Owen describes as "perhaps the most remarkable of the great revivals 
that have charaaerized the recent history." 

As a further testimony to his great work, from those who have watched it most closely and with the deepest per- 
sonal interest, the following letter from Professor March has a peculiar and significant value. It is taken from a report 
in the College Journal, April, 1882, of a banquet given to President Cattell by the Alumni .Association of Philadelphia 
on his return from a visit to Europe : 

E.-iSTON, Pa,, April, 18S2. 

The Faculty of Lafayette College desire me to thank the Philadelphia .Alumni Association for their kind invitation 
to be present at the reception to be given to President Cattell on the evening of Thursday, April 13th. If there is any 
reason for which the Faculty might be excused for going off in a body it is that we might join the Alumni in honoring 



330 THE HISTORY OF 

the President who has cheerfully met so many trials and borne so much toil for the college, who has led its friends to 
so many triumphs over such great obstacles, and who hold such a place in the affecftion and esteem of all his asso- 
ciates. We send our heartiest congratulations. F. A. March. 

But these "many trials" and "much toil" of an administration that led the college to "so many triumphs over 
such great obstacles" could scarcely fail, after twenty years to tell upon the President's health. In his report to the 
Board of Trustees at the beginning of the year 1S83, printed in the College Journal o{ March, he says: "With such 
pleasant recollections of the year just closed (the most delightful to me since my connection with the college), and 
with such a brightening outlook, I enter upon the twentieth year of my Presidency with only one misgiving ; and that 
is, whether, in the present state of my health, I have the strength fully to discharge the arduous and responsible duties 
which are inseparable from my position. I am deeply grateful for the generous and unfailing support of my col- 
leagues in the Board and in the Faculty, and of the Alumni, but even with this help the continuous an.xiety and strain 
of my ordinary work, and the necessity at times of unusually severe and prolonged exertion, seem to me to demand 
more than my present strength. But I am firmly persuaded that the great work here will continue with increasing 
power and usefulness, whoever may be the men honored of God to carry it on." 

And this foreshadowing of his retirement from the arduous duties of the Presidency, taking definite shape as the 
year passed on, called forth from the public press, religious and secular, universal e.xpressions of regret and of high 
appreciation of the great work he had accomplished for the college. 

Dr. Cattell received the honorary degree of D. D. from Princeton, and also from Hanover College, Indiana, and 
that of LL. D. from the University of Wooster, Ohio. He was Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presby- 
terian Church in 1863, and again in 1876, when he was Chairman of the Assembly's Committee on Education. In 1872 
he was Moderator of the Synod of Philadelphia. 

He has made several visits to Europe and the East, and his travels and observations thereon have formed the sub- 
ject of numerous lectures and public addresses. His preface to the report of the Hon. C. C. Andrews (Minister to 
Sweden) upon the educational systems of Sweden and Norway, made to the United States Bureau of Education, 
shows his interest in all educational matters and his habits of careful observation at home and abroad. He was sent 
by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States as a Commissioner to the Presbyterian 
Church in Scotland and to the Reformed Church in Bohemia in 1869, and again in 18S1. One of the pastors in Bohe- 
mia, Rev. L. B. Kaspar, of Hradiste, in a letter to the New York Evangelist, December 29, 1S81, thus speaks of Dr. 
Cattell's visits to that country : " This is not the first time that Dr. Cattell has come to Bohemia. He was here in 1869 
and 1870. That welcome visit is still remembered by many. It was more than an occasional tourist's trip. At that 
time Sunday School work was almost unknown in our church. Dr. Cattell noticed this lack, and set himself at once 
on calling attention to it. In public addresses and in private conversation he pressed the subjedl on our pastors and 
people. Since that time his name has been closely associated with the Sunday School work in our church. I trust 
that on the present visit he has had the satisfaction of seeing that his efforts have not been spent in vain. We have a 
respectable number of Sunday Schools now, and the work is growing still. And very well may I speak again of Dr. 
Cattell's efforts. He was not satisfied by coming to the capital and looking at matters, as it were, through a telescope, 
but he spent much time in actually going about the country from place to place — which is not always very comfortable, 
I can assure you. Even this small, out-of-the-way place in the mountainous part of Bohemia (where this letter is 
written) has had the honor of his presence on a stormy Sunday three weeks ago." 

And another pastor in Bohemia, the Rev. J. E. Szalatnay, of Velim, in a letter to the New York Independent, re- 
ferring to Dr. Cattell's agency in establishing Sunday Schools in his country, says : " We speak of him as the father of 
our Sunday-schools.'^ 

In the midst of his arduous college duties, President Cattell found time to deliver frequent addresses at Educa- 
tional Conventions and Teachers' Institutes in various parts of the country which have been widely noticed, especially 
his address before the Pennsylvania State Teachers' Convention in the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, upon the 
place of the "Christian Latin and Greek in Classical Education," and the address before the same body at West 
Chester, on " Technical Education." In i860 he delivered the commencement oration before the literary societies of 
his Alma Mater at Princeton. His speech at the great ceremony of the inauguration of the statue of General Lafayette 
in Union Square, New York, was reprinted in France. Among the many articles from his busy pen that show his 
thorough work upon the subjects taken in hand may be mentioned his monograph upon what are called the German 
Peace Churches of Pennsylvania, contributed to the " Schafl^-Hertzog Encyclopedia," under the title " Tunkers." 

President Cattell's interest in all educational matters has made him many friends among the teachers in our public 
schools, with whom he has always been in hearty sympathy. Hence, when he was tendered the appointment by Gov- 
ernor Hoyt of the position of State Superintendent of Instruction, the friends of the common school system looked 
hopefully for his acceptance. But the interests of Lafayette College were too dear to him, and though the work was 
congenial, lie declined the appointment. A rumor of his appointment to this office having gained currency a year or 
two before, called forth the following protest against his leaving Lafayette by the editor of The Presbyterian, of Phila- 
delphia : "We know that the men who cannot be spared from the places they are filling are just the men who are 
sought after for other places ; but clearly, Lafayette College has the first mortgage on Dr. Cattell. He has linked his 
name so thoroughly with its growth and its splendid success that he ought not to be separated from it, and therefore. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 331 

while we recognize the wise forecast of those who have named him for the important post of Superintendent of Public 
Education in the Commonwealth, we make earnest protest in advance against any movement which will remove Dr. 
Cattell from the post which he fills so worthily and so usefully." 

The Lafayette College Journal, published by the students, quotes the above and adds : " We thank our friends of 
The Presbyterian for this graceful and well-deserved compliment paid to our worthy President, and we assure them 
the Doctor will never leave Lafayette and "' his boys." We cannot think of Lafayette without thinking of her genial 
President, nor do we see how the two could be disconnected. The true prosperity of the college dates from his inaugu- 
ration as President. Since then he has toiled unceasingly for her advancement ; and all who have watched the progress 
of the institution for the last ten years can tell with what success his labors have been crowned. He has infused new 
life and energy into every department ; he has enlisted the sympathy of friends on all sides and has attracted munifi- 
cent endowments from wealthy benefactors. More than this, he takes great interest in the personal welfare of the stu- 
dents. His sympathies also enter into our sports and pastimes, and he enjoys keenly to witness the healthy, vigorous 
games on the college campus. He is proud to see " his boys" win applause by their muscular feats, and encourages 
them in that as well as in their more intellectual efforts. The students think of our President not as does the world, 
simply as a most successful financier and as an able executive, but as a warm personal friend. Contrary to the usual 
relations existing between college officers and students, there is, on the part of our boys, a strong attachment to our 
worthy President. In fact, we love the kind-hearted man who has ever encouraged us with his smiles, his words, his 
counsel, his purse and his prayers." 

This loving, hearty testimony of the students fairly illustrates the cordial relations existing between the President 
of Lafayette and the young men he is accustomed to speak of as his "boys." They knew that in him they had not 
only a wise mentor and a careful, conscientious instruttor, but a warm and sympathizing friend. They found in him a 
man who, in the midst of the serious work of his life, still retained the quick sympathies, the kindly heart and the 
" wondrous winning ways" of his youth. He has always used his power of personal magnetism to lift his students, 
whom he so much loves, into sympathy with all that is good and pure and just and righteous ; and he has been truly 
fortunate in inspiring affectton such as is seldom seen between men outside the family relation. There are hundreds 
of young men, scattered all over the land, and many of them occupying high positions, who never speak of him but 
with grateful love. Professor Owen, who was one of his students, says in the " Historical Sketches :" " His best work 
after all will not be recorded in the history of great buildings, of swelling endowments and new courses of study, but 
in the hearts and lives of the hundreds of young men whose characters were moulded under his personal influence. 
These will never forget the kind-hearted president, endeared to them alike as a faithful friend, a wise counsellor, and 
an eminent example of a life devoted with Christian fidelity to a great and good work." 

President Cattell makes no secret of his joy and pride in being thus held in loving remembrance by " his boys ; " 
and even in this brief sketch of his life and character we must make room for a few sentences from his address at a 
banquet tendered to him by the Seniors on his return from Europe in 18S2, as they so well illustrate the peculiarly 
happy relations always existing between him and the students. The address is published, with a report of the other 
exercises upon this pleasant occasion, in the College Journal o{ March, 1S82 : 

" I am glad and grateful to be home again ; and very pleasant to me has been the cordial welcome I have received 
from my friends in Easton, where I have spent more than twenty-flve years of my life, and from my colleagues in the 
faculty, with whom I have been so long and pleasantly associated. But I am touched even more deeply by the hearty 
welcome from the students of the college, which has met me at every turn in private, and which culminates this 
evening in the public and official greeting you have extended to me as a class. * * * And let me assure you, my 
dear young friends, that, after all, it is just this intimate and cordial relation between the students and myself — of 
which this evening is such a happy illustration— that has chiefly sustained and nerved me in the exhausting work and 
heavy responsibility which my position, as president of the college, necessarily involves. I know the many and great 
opportunities for usefulness this position gives, and no man should lightly regard the call of Providence to such a 
work. I know also that to be at the head of a great college, like Lafayette, is generally regarded as an honorable dis- 
tinction, and few men would acknowledge themselves inditferent to this ; yet, let me again assure you, that the sus- 
taining force which has kept me at work for Lafayette during all these years of toil and care has not been so much 
these things as the happy life I have led here among " my boys." - * * And I hold that no other college president 
has a greater right to be proud of the character and conduct of his boys than I have to be proud of mine, or who has 
reason to love them more — let me rather say, to love them as much." (Great applause.) 

On Sunday, June 24, 1883, President Cattell preached in the college chapel his last baccalaureate sermon, and on 
Wednesday presided for the last time at the public exercises of Commencement Day, and conferred the degrees. 

The Lafayette College Journal, edited and published by the students, devotes a large part of its issue for July to 
the subject of President Cattell's resignation, which, the editors say, " was not wholly unexpected, but it causes none 
the less sorrow-." And this " sorrow " was expressed in many of the addresses reported in this number of the Journal 
made by the alumni who had gathered at the annual festival, under the shadow of this great loss to the college. A 
missionary from China, Rev. Charles R. Mills, D. D., of the class of 1853, said at the alumni meeting on Tuesday, 
"the four sad davs of his life were those on which he heard of the assassination of Lincoln, the burning of Pardee 



332 THE HISTORY OF 

Hall, the murder of Garfield, and the resignation of President Cattell." The Alumni Association, by " a rising vote," 
adopted a minute expressing "their hearty appreciation of his distinguished services," and they put upon record 
"their fervent wish that some arrangement may be effected by the trustees and the faculty by which a season of pro- 
longed rest may be secured to the president without severing his official connection with the college, and they 
earnestly hope that he will consent to any reasonable measures to this end." In the Journal's report of the alumni 
dinner the next day these tributes to the retiring president are renewed. The venerable and beloved Dean of the 
college. Dr. Traill Green, who presided, " eloquently alluded to President Cattail's great worth ; he had served with 
six college presidents (at Lafayette and other colleges), and he knew none such as Dr. Cattell." The Hon. R. P. 
Allen, of the class of '55, in responding for the trustees, " spoke of the regret and grief with which they had accepted 
the resignation of President Cattell— their only comfort being that he had left the college in such a prosperous condi- 
tion ; " and the Hon. Wm. A. Porter, of the class of ',^9, formerly of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, " eulogized 
President Cattel, saying he had advised him twenty years ago not to accept the presidency, believing the condition of 
the college to be utterly hopeless ! He rejoiced that he had been mistaken ; but he believed that no other man living 
could have done what President Cattell has done." 

The following is the minute adopted by the trustees of the college : 

" The Board of Trustees has received the resignation of President Cattell with emotions of profound sorrow. The 
Board has most earnestly used its utmost endeavors to persuade Dr. Cattell to withdraw his resignation and accept an 
indefinite leave of absence, with entire relief from all care and responsibility of the college, but considerations of his 
health, manifestly broken, have obliged him to decline their must urgent overtures. 

The Board therefore most reluctantly accepts his resignation, to take effect on the twenty-fourth day of October 
next, on which day he will complete the twentieth year of his presidency. In this action the Board yields to a most 
painful necessity, and against its strongest wishes that an administration so fruitful only of good to the college should 
be continued as long as its distinguished, honored and beloved President lives. It yields its own wishes in the fond 
hope that relief from care may speedily bring back health and strength to its cherished friend, and to this only. The 
Board rejoices that though Dr. Cattell feels obliged to retire from the Presidency of the Faculty, it will still retain him 
as one of its members, and thus have the great benefit of his wise counsels and earnest devotion in the administration 
of the affairs of the college. 

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to report at a future meeting a suitable minute expressive of the Board's 
appreciation of the great work for the college performed by Dr. Cattell, and their deep grief at this sad transaction ; 
and that this report and minute, with Dr. Cattell's letter, be published in the next college catalogue." 

Dr. Cattell presided at the public exercises in Pardee Hall on Founder's Day, October 24, 18S3. This was his last 
official act as President of the college. The following week, with his family, he sailed for Europe. His departure was 
the occasion for many heartfelt tributes in the public journals, one of them, in The Presbylerian, November 12, by a 
graduate of the college. Rev. Dr. McFetridge (then a pastor in Philadelphia, afterwards Professor in Macalester Col- 
lege), from which we quote a few sentences. Describing the scene upon the deck of the steamer, were " members of 
the Board of Trustees of the college and of the Lafayette Alumni Association of New York, and other friends of Dr. 
Cattell from Easton and elsewhere," had gathered to bid the ex-President good-bye. Dr. McFetridge says : "Twenty 
years ago, as a member of the Senior Class of Lafayette, we welcomed Dr. Cattell to Easton as our new President. 
Since then what changes have taken place with that institution — great and grand changes, that have been wrought as 
by magic under the hand of him who now takes his departure. Could we keep out the thoughts that crowded upon us 
to prevent the unbidden tear? Other eyes were moist as, well as ours, and other tongues faltered as they bade our be- 
loved friend and President 'good-bye.' Truly it was a ' God-be-with-thee' in the fullest, heartiest sense. Who can 
estimate the worth of such a man! — a man in the truest, noblest sense. Can the Presbyterian Church ever estimate 
or prize as she ought the work that this man has done? She may sing his praises ever so loudly ; she may cherish his 
name and memory ever so sacredly ; she might load him with riches and honors, and then she would not have recom- 
pensed him. And can the friends of Christian education ever set high enough value on his services? He has shed a 
lustre on education, and made the position of instructor doubly honorable. And now as he bids adieu to his native 
land, and to the position in which he cheerfully sacrificed health and thousands of dollars of his private means, and in 
which he won the hearts of so many noble men, and of so many young men who came under his personal influence, he 
can be assured that he will be remembered as the great benefactor of Lafayette College so long as the college endures." 

Dr. Cattell spent the winter among the snow-clad mountains of Switzerland, at the noted health resort of Davos- 
Plaiz. With returning health in the early summer he visited his numerous friends in different parts of Europe, 
especially in Bohemia, and then went to Belfast to attend the sessions of the Presbyterian Alliance, to which he had 
been appointed a Delegate by the Presbyterian Church in America. The remainder of the year was spent in the fur- 
ther pursuit of health in the quiet and restful region of the " Lake country" in the north of England and in traveling 
leisurely through Scotland. But at the age of fifty-seven Dr. Cattell's work was not yet done. The following anounce- 
raent in the journals of the Presbyterian Church at the close of the year shows that during his absence in Europe he 
" was ele<5lted with cordial unanimity" as the executive of a Board to which the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
Church has committed a most important and sacred trust : 

" The Board of Ministerial Relief hereby announces officially to the churches that the Rev. William C. Cattell, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 333 

D. D., LL. D., was elected with cordial unanimity as Corresponding Secretary at the annual meeting in June, 1884. This 
election took place during Dr. Cattell's absence in Europe. In 0<5lober he returned to this country, and after making 
some preliminary acquaintance with the duties of his new office, he entered upon their discharge December i. The 
favorable record of his past services, especially as President for many years of Lafayette College, is so well known to 
our churches that the Board is well assured of favorable response in now commending him to their confidence, as in- 
trusted with this new and sacred responsibility." 

Into this tender, delicate and arduous work of caring for his ministerial brethren worn out in the service of the 
church. Dr. Cattell has thrown himself with the same enthusiasm and with the same marked results that characterized 
his administration at Lafayette. 

Referring to Dr. Cattell's recent visit to California in the interests of his present work. Professor Burrowes, who 
was Dr. Cattell's predecessor in the Chair of Ancient Languages at Lafayette, says: "The presence of Dr. Cattell in 
our Synod and churches is a great refreshment and blessing, not only to his personal friends of earlier years, but to all 
hearts who have felt the touching power of his words and admired the example shown in his laborious devotion to the 
noble cause engaging the closing years of a useful and devoted life. He presented this cause in Los Angeles on Sab- 
bath, October 2, reached San Francisco on the following Tuesday, and closed the busy engagements of that week with 
an able and telling address in behalf of his grand cause on Saturday night before the Synod of the Pacific in 
Oakland. 

On Sabbath morning he presented the same subjed in a very able discourse to a large congregation in Calvary 
Church, in this city. On the evening of that day he opened up the same great cause in the First Church, Dr. Macken- 
zie's, crowded to the utmost capacity. The next morning he took the steamer for Portland, to attend the Synod of 
Oregon. It will thus be seen that his work is engrossing and laborious. It receives his whole attention, without any 
time needlessly lost even in intercourse with old friends." 

At the close of Dr. Cattell's administration we may very properly look at the work 
accomplished. At the present writing (1888) over three thousand four hundred persons 
have been enrolled as students of the college. Three hundred and twenty-six have 
become physicians; nearly five hundred ministers of the gospel, and more than this num- 
ber lawyers. Over two hundred have held public office, among whom there have been 
eleven members of Congress, two Governors, twenty-nine Judges, fifty members of the 
Legislature in eight States. Messrs. Cresswell, Francis and Griggs having been speakers 
of the State Senate. The remainder have held the offices of Mayor, Eledlors of Presi- 
dents, Sheriff, Consul and minor posts of Government. 

Over two hundred have become distinguished as educators, eight having been presi- 
dents of colleges, seven professors in theological seminaries, eight professors in medical 
colleges, and eighty members of college faculties in Lafayette and other institutions. 
More than one hundred have served as home missionaries, and twenty eight as Foreign 
missionaries, of whom five have translated the Bible into other tongues. 

In the literary world are the names of Drs. Green, Elliott and E. D. Yeomans, as con- 
tributors to the American edition of Lunge's Commentary. Other writers in the depart- 
ment of theology are Revs. Drs. Ramsey, Lowrie, Porter, Janvier, Mills, Menaul and R. 
H. Nassau, and Messrs. Loewenthal, Noble, Long and Bransby. In the military world 
Lafayette has a proud record. The roll of honor shows the names of two hundred and 
twenty-six graduates, non-graduates and under-graduates, who served in the military and 
naval service during the war. Of those in the army, six were general officers, seven 
colonels, five lieutenant colonels, nine majors, twenty assistant surgeons, fifteen chap- 
lains, twenty-three captains, twenty-three lieutenants, twenty-five non-commissioned 
officers, seventy-seven privates. In the navy, one lieutenant commander, one professor 
of mathematics, one paymaster, two assistant surgeons. This is quite sufficient to show 
that Lafayette has been successful in making men, and of this noble record her friends 
have reason to be proud. 



334 



THE HISTORY OF 



As Dr. Cattell's resignation was to take effe6l 06lober the 24th, the trustees were 
acflively canvassing the question of a successor. There was among the members of the 
trustees one who was thorough!)' acquainted with the life of the college. He had been a 
pastor in Easton, and had exhibited a good degree of efficiency in his work. He had 
been a member of the Board, was a man of large acquaintance, and broad experience. 
He was a man of extended learning and thorough training — whose religious sympathies 
were in perfect harmony with 
those of the college. This 
man was Rev. J. H. Mason 
Knox, D. D., pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church in Bris- 
tol, Pa. And after due con- 
sideration by the Board he 
was unanimously elected 
President of the Faculty of 
Lafayette College. 

J. H.Mason Knox, D.D.,LL. D. 
J. H. Mason Knox is a native of the 
city of New York, and was born June 
10, 1.S24. His father was Dr. John 
Knox, for more than forty years pas- 
tor of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch 
Qhurch of that city. His mother was 
a daughter of John M. Mason, D. D., 
an eminent Presbyterian divine, whom 
Dr. Bethune called the greatest 
preacher the American's had pro- 
duced. At an early age Dr. Knox en- 
tered Columbia College, where he 
showed excellent aptitude for study, 
and graduated at the age of seven- 
teen. He entered the seminary of the 
Reformed Dutch Church, at New 
Brunswick, N. J. He received and 
accepted a call from the church in 
German Valley, New Jersey. After 
remaining here for five years he moved 
to Easton in response to a call from 
the Dutch Reformed Church on North 
Fifth street. His pastorate was of 
only two years duration, but was very 
successful. He left Easton to accept 
a call from the First Presbyterian 
Church of Germantown, Pa., where 
he spent sixteen years of great use- 
fulness. His next pastorate extended 
over a period of ten years at Bristol, 

Pa. His labors at this place were interrupted by his election to the Presidency of Lafayette College, 0(ftober 5, 1S83. 
He had served Lafayette as a trustee for a period of eighteen years. In each position in which Providence placed 
him. Dr. Knox has shown marked fitness for the trust reposed in him. His .\lma Mater long ago recognized these 
accomplishments, when in 1S61, it conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and in 1885, that of Doctor of 
Laws. As a speaker the Doctor is impressive and forcible. He has a fine physique, commanding presence, and manly 
bearing. Socially, he is affable and courteous. No one can converse with him long without marking his firm convic- 
tions, and his sincerity in expressing them. He is one of the most conscientious of men, with a stern adherence to 




H. Mason Knox, D. D., LL. U. 
President of Lafayette College. 



EASTON, PENN'A. 335 

the principles of reflitude and truth. When Doftor Knox came to Lafayette he found himself surrounded by pecu- 
liar circumstances. Here was a college rich in everything but money, struggling against the tide of pecuniary adver- 
sity. To guide the destines of such an institution demanded a mind fruitful in resources. Dr. Knox keenly ap- 
preciated all of this, but went to work with a strong faith and a sturdy will, and is hopeful amid his toils. His 
relations with the students have been kindly paternal. The doftor is one of those men who must be intimately 
known to be fully appreciated. His best qualities lie not on the surface, but deep in his soul. His full rounded, 
manly. Christian character, and real worth are not appreciated by casual acquaintance. But the esteem is deeper from 
an intimate association. After the resignation of Dr. Cattell, and all efforts to induce him to reconsider his action, had 
failed, the Board of Trustees convened October 5, 1883, and unanimously elected the Rev. James H. Mason Knox 
President of the Faculty. After due consideration the call was accepted. Dr. Knox was inaugurated June 24, 1884, 
and the work of the college goes bravely on. Among the many emotions that animate the hearts of the friends of Lafa- 
yette, hope shines clear and bright. The inauguration was a matter of deep interest to the friends of education in gen- 
eral, and to the friends of Lafayette it was of special interest. The venerable President of the Board of Trustees, Mr. 
Ario Pardee, in a few fitting words, conveyed the action of the Board, in unanimously electing Dr. Knox to the office 
so filled with grave responsibilities. Expressing the confidence of the Board in his wisdom and integrity, and taking 
him by the hand, greeted him as President of Lafayette College. He pledged the earnest sympathy, friendly counsel, 
hearty support of the Board. The President responded with an address in which many touching allusions were made 
to the heroic struggles of the past and looking through them all to the hopeful glories of the future. The following sen- 
tence will not be forgotten by those who heard it : " The banner inscribed to the glory of God flung to the breeze in the 
early days of its existence, to this moment has never been furled nor has its lustre been permitted to become less." 
In this age of religious speculation, this is Lafayette's crown of glory, and many prayers were uttered that the lustre 
of this crown might never grow dim. Rev. Dr. Ballard, on behalf of the Faculty, spoke kindly words of welcome. The 
author feels impelled to quote one sentence from this felicitous address : " One distinquished educator inquires earn- 
estly how the English can be elevated in our colleges to a larger share of instruction and study. But had our eminent 
New England inquirer only condescended to come a little further South before asking his questions, our own Anglo- 
Saxon Columbus would have been most happy to show him how, some twenty odd years ago, he himself stood that 
unsteady philological egg on the broad table of his already historic class-room.' And near the close of Dr. Ballard's 
address, he made the pleasant announcement that Hon. John \. Blair had presented the College fifteen thousand dol- 
lars with which to purchase Dr. Cattell's residence for the future home of the President. Hon. R. E. James presented 
the greeting of the alumni. " It remains for me, as the representative of Lafayette alumni, to tender to you the heart 
of our college, the strong affections, earnest hopes, and unwavering loyalty of her sons — summon them to your assist- 
ance, they will gladly respond. And now, on behalf of these sons of Lafayette, I bid you welcome and God-speed in 
your labors." Thus closed one of the most pleasant events in the history of Lafayette. 

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY. 

Rev. Addison Ballard, D. D., was born in Framingham, Mass., Ocl. 18, 1822. He prepared for college at the 
Framingham Academy, and at the school of his uncle. Rev. James Ballard, Bennington, Vermont, and graduated at 
Williams College in 1842. He taught the Hopkins Academy at Hadley, Mass., one year after graduation. He was 
tutor in Williams College from September, 1843, to June, 1844, but left before the expiration of the year on account of 
ill health. From 1845 to 1846, he was principal of an .•\cademy at Grand Rapids, Michigan. The following year he 
was engaged as a home missionary in Hand River Valley in the same State. He was then called to the Professorship 
of Latin and Mathematics in the Ohio University, at Athens. He remained in this position for seven years. The next 
year he was Professor of Rhetoric in Williams College. From 1855 to 1S57 he was Professor of Natural Philosophy and 
Astronomy in Marietta College, Ohio. From 1857 to '866 he resided at Williamstown, engaged most of the time as 
pastor of the Congregational Church. June i, 1866, he was installed pastor of the Congregational Church in Detroit, 
whence he was called to the Professorship of Christian Greek and Latin in Lafayette College in 1874. He has published 
a number of sermons and addresses, and is the author of the " Introduction to the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius." 
Dr. Ballard is a ripe scholar, a good writer, with large experience as a professorin various departments in our best colleges. 

Joseph G. Fox, A. M., C. E., was born at Adams. Jefferson County, N. J., September 7, 1S33. He was a student 
at the State Normal School, at Albany, and at the Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, graduating with honor at each. 
While pursuing his course at the latter institution he acted as Instructor in Mathematics, and on graduating in 1861, 
he was immediately made Adjunft Professor of Geology and Topographical Drawing. During the year 1861-2 he also 
held the oflice of Assistant Engineer on the Troy and Albany Railroad. For the next ten years he was a resident of 
New York City, and engaged in teaching, chiefly as Principal of the Collegiate and Engineering Institute, but also 
holding the position of Professor of Mathematics in the Cooper Institute in 1863-4, and for seven years following Director 
and Professor of Mechanics in the same. He was engineer of the Sixth Brigade, Second Division of the National Guard 
of New York, with the rank of Major, on General Hamilton's staff, and served with the brigade during the great draft 
riot in New York, in July, 1862, and also in garrison duty in the forts about New York harbor in 1864. In 1864 he re- 
ceived the degree of A. M. from Columbia College. From 1866 to 1871 he filled the chair Geodesy aud Mechanical 
Drawing in the University of the City of New York, and was engaged in the construction of various engineering works. 
In 1872 he became Professor of Civil and Topographical Engineering in Lafayette. 



336 THE HISTORY OF 

Rev. T. C. Porter, D. D., LL. D.— Professor Thomas Conrad Porter was born at Alexandria, Huntingdon county, 
Penna., January 22, 1S22. His fatlier was Jolin Porter, of Scotcli Irisli stock, son of Tiiomas Porter, vvlio came to this 
country in 1793, and died early in the present century. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church for tnore than 
fifty years. His mother was of German descent. Her paternal grandfather, John Conrad Bucher, of a prominent 
old Swiss family, came to America in 1755 ; labored as a minister of the Reformed Church in eastern Pennsylvania, 
and died as pastor of the congregation at Lebanon in 1780. The subject of this sketch entered Lafayette College in 
1836, and graduated in September, 1840, in the same class with Dr. W. H. Green, of Princeton, and was licensed to 
preach by the Presbytery of Huntingdon, May 7, 1844. He preached for one year in Georgia; in 1848, he became 
pastor of the Second Reformed Church at Reading, Pa., which he resigned in May, 1849, to become Professor of the 
Natural Sciences in Marshall College at Mercersburg, Pa., then under the presidency of the Rev. J. W. Nevin, D. D. 
On the removal of the college to Lancaster and its consolidation with Franklin College in 1853, he was elected to the 
same chair, and became "a member and secretary of the Board of Trustees of Franklin and Marshall College, and 
chairman of the building committee. These positions he resigned in July, 1866, to accept from his Alma Mater, just 
starting out on her career of wonderful development, the Professorship of Botany, Zoology and Geology. This posi- 
tion he still retains. Besides the fulfillment of his duties as professor, during thirty-nine years. Dr. Porter has devoted 
much time to the preaching of the gospel and has delivered many letlures and addresses on public occasions. Among 
his printed works are " The Life and Times of Ulric Zwingle, the great Swiss Reformer," from the German of Hottin- 
ger; "The Life and Labors of St. Augustine," from the German of Dr. Philip SchafT, and a prose version of Gtethe's 
" Herman and Dorothea." The Mercersburg Rei'iew is indebted to him for a number of valuable articles. Dr. 
Porter was an aftive member of a committee, which included the Rev. Drs. Nevin, Schaff, Gerhart, Harbaugh, 
Zacharias and Boinberger, to frame the order of worship now in the Reformed Church of the United States. In the 
convention which celebrated the three hundredth anniversary of the formation and adoption of the Heidelberg Cate- 
chism held at Philadelphia in January, 1863, he read an original biographical memoir of Ursinus and Olevianus, the 
authors of the Catechism, and a translation of Dr. Hundeshagen's essay on the University of Heidelberg, both of 
which are published in the Tercentenary Monument. To Dr. Schaff's "Christ in Song," he has contributed several 
hymns and lyric pcems from the German and the Latin. In 1S65 the degree of Dodlor of Divinity was conferred upon 
him by Rutgers College. In 1880 the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by Franklin and Marshall College. 
He was pastor of the Third Street Reformed Church, Easton, Pa., from September i, 1877, to August i, 18S4. Dr. 
Porter is known in the scientific world chiefly as a botanist. One of the founders and first president of the Linna;an 
Society of Lancaster county, Pa., he explored its territory for thirteen years, deposited his collection in the museum 
of the society, and published a catalogue of the flora in Dr. Mombert's History. His extensive herbarium, now in the 
possession of Lafayette College, is the result of the untiring labors of more than forty years, and contains specimens 
from many foreign countries, but is especially rich in the plants of the United States, both east and west of the Mis- 
sissippi. It contains a coUefticn from Pennsylvania, which is by far the best and fullest in existence. The collections 
made by Dr. F. V. Hayden in the Rocky Mountains, from the year 1870 to 1874, passed through the professor's hands, 
and his reports upon them are to be found in the publications of the Survey by the Government. Of these, the most 
important, "A Synopsis of the Flora of Colorado," prepared conjointly with Professor J. M. Coulter of Wabash 
College in a separate volume. To " Gray's Topographical Atlas of Pennsylvania" Dr. Porter furnished a summary of 
the flora of the State, and in a similar atlas from the same publisher, a sketch of the Botany of the United States, 
both illustrated by colored maps. He is a corresponding member of the American Philosophical Society, and of the 
Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and of other learned bodies of like kind elsewhere. He is also a fellow 
of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a member of the Torrey Botanical Club, New York. 
In May, 1888, the dottor went to Europe, expecting to spend the summer in a pleasant ramble in the old countries, 
and attend to the duties of a delegate to the Pan-Presbyterian Council in England. 

Rev. Robert Barber Youngman, A. M., Easton, Pa.— Born at Danville, November 18, 1836 ; valedictorian ; 
tutor, '60-3 ; adjunct professor of Latin and Greek, '63-8 ; professor of the Greek Language and Literature since '68, 
and clerk of the faculty since '60; he studied theology privately with the late Rev. John Gray, D.D., of Easton, and 
was licensed by the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, April 20, '64; ordained by the Presbytery of Lehigh, 
January 6, '74. 

William Baxter Owen, A. M., was born at Wysox, Bradford County, Pa. He entered the Sophomore class and 
graduated in 1871. He received the Fowler prize and was valedictorian of his class. He became tutor in 1871-4, and 
was then appointed Adjunft Professor of Greek. He contributed notes to editions of Eusebius and Athenagoras in the 
series of Douglass Christian Classics. He is the author of " Historical Sketches of Lafayette College," prepared at 
the request of the U. S. Bureau of Education. He is now Professor of the Latin language and Literature. 

James W. Moore, A. M,, M. D., was born in Easton. He was a student in Lafayette, and graduated in 1864. He 
was the Latin Salutatorian. He taught in Easton from 1S64 to 1S65, and was Tutor in 1866-8. He graduated at the 
Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1869. He was Adjunft Professor during 1868-72, and from 
that time he has been Professor in the Department of Mechanics and Experimental Philosophy. He is a member of 
the Northampton County Medical Society, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Medicine, and of the American 
Association for the Advancement of Science. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 337 

Charles McIntirk, Jr., A. M., M. D., resided in Easton wliile in college at Lafayette. He was born in Phila- 
delphia. He graduated with Honorary Oration in the class of 1868. He entered the Medical Department of the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1873. He was Assistant and Adjunct Professor of Chemistry from 186S to 
1870. He is a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers and Fellow of the American Academy of Medi- 
cine. He showed himself an expert in Chemical Analysis in the analysis of the contents of the stomachs of the mur- 
dered Laros family. He is a specialist in diseases of the eye, to which he gives constant attention. He serves the 
College in the capacity of ledurer on hygiene, and takes charge of the students in gymnasium in which he takes great 
interest. 

Joseph Johnston H.\rdy, A. M., was born in England in 1844. He received collegiate training in Lafayette. 
He was a member of the class of 1870. He received the Junior Mathematical prize, and was valedictorian of his 
class. He became Tutor in Lafayette in 1870-74, since which time he has been Adjunct Professor and Professor of 
Mathematics. 

Edward Hart, Ph. D., was born at Doylestown, Pa., November 18, 1854. He pursued his studies in his native 
place until he became a special student of chemistry, first under Professor Drown in Philadelphia, and afterward as the 
incumbent of a Fellowship in the Johns Hopkins University. In 1874 he came to Lafayette as an assistant in the labor- 
atories. He was at Johns Hopkins University in 1876-78, where in the latter year he issued a Hand-Book of Volu- 
metric Analysis, 326 pp. 12 mo. In September, 1878, he returned to Lafayette as Adjunct Professor of General 
Chemistry, and since 1883, Professor. 

William S. Hall, C. E., M. S., tutor in Engineering and Graphics, was born in Chester, Pa., June 27, 1861. He 
pursued his preparatory course at the Chester Academy, 1876. He entered Lafayette College in 1881, and graduated 
in 1SS4. Immediately after graduating he was appointed Instrucflor in Civil Engineering and Graphics in Lafayette. 

Justus Mitchel Silliman, was born at New Canaan, Fairfield county. Conn., January 25, 1842. His pre- 
paratory education was obtained at the New Canaan Academy. During the late war he served three years in the 
army of the Potomac and of the South. From i855-'70 he taught in the Troy Academy, Troy, New York. In 1867 he 
entered the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and graduated in 1870, when he became professor of Mining Engineering 
and Graphics in Lafayette. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a mem- 
ber of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. In the proceedings of the former were published the results of 
his examination of the Bessemer Flame with colored glasses, and with the Spectroscope. 

Rev. Augustus Alexis Bloombergh, Ph. D., was born in UflTenheim, Bavaria, February 13, 1835. He pursued 
a full course of study in the Gymnasium of Ansbach, and in 1852 became a student of law in the University of Wurz- 
burg, where he remained three years. After some years spent in teaching he entered Princeton Theological Semi- 
nary in 1864, and completed his course in 1867. While there he was tutor of Latin in the college of New Jersey, 1865 
and '67. In 1867 he entered upon his duties as professor of Modern Languages in Lafayette. On January 6, 1874, he 
was ordained to the gospel ministry by the Presbytery of Lehigh. He has written numerous articles for the Quarterlies. 

Francis Andrew March, Jr., adjunct professor of Modern Languages, was born in the house of Prof. F. A. 
March, on the college grounds, March 2, 1S63. His mother, Mildred Stone Conway, belongs to a family, eminent in 
literature and the professions, descended on the female side from Governor Stone, Cromwell's governor of Maryland, 
through Thomas Stone, the signer of the Declaration of Independence, and on the other side from the Daniels, of 
Virginia, who are of the nearest Washington blood. They count in the later generations a judge of the Supreme 
Court of the United States, a surgeon general of the United States, attorney general and judges of Virginia, and in 
literature Moncure D. Conway. John M. Daniel of the Richmond Examiner, Senator Daniel of Virginia, and others. 

Prof. March graduated at the Easton High School in 1877 with the highest rank, completing the four years course 
in three years, and entered college the same year. He took the mathematical prize in the Junior year, and was editor 
in chief of the Melange. In the Senior year he was president of the Franklin Literary Society, and graduated as an 
honor man, delivering the valediftory addresses on commencement day. 

After graduating he was invited to be assistant in the department of chemistry in the college; but declined, and 
was enrolled in the post-graduate courses in philology. He taught in Trach's Academy in Easton the first year. The 
second year he was appointed tutor in the college. In 1883 he was appointed assistant in English at Cornell University, 
and heard the classes of Prof. Corson there during his absence in the winter term. 

He was elected adjunct professor of Modern Languages at Lafayette in 1884, and has served ever since in that 
department, paying special attention to English and French. He has also been employed since i885 on the etymolo- 
gical department of the Century's Dictionary. He is a member of the American Philological Association, and in 1884 
he visited the old world and made the acquaintance of many of the most eminent philologists. 

Professor March was fond of athletics in college, a member of the college base ball nine, and a winner of prizes 
in various events. His interest is still unabated. 

Samuel L. Fisler, A. M. , Easton, Pa., born in Gloucester county. New Jersey: prepared for college at the 
Edgehill School in New Jersey, and at Academia, in each of which he was an assistant teacher ; graduated with honorary 



338 



THE HISTORY OF 



oration; taught at Towanda, '61-5; on account of failing health he was compellecj to abandon preparation for 
professional life, and became superintendent of lumber manufacturing at Bear Creek, '65-9 ; was the first president of 
the Young Men's Christian Association of Easton ; since '69 has superintended the improvement of the college grounds 
and the construction of the new buildings, and since '73 has been treasurer of the college. He also superintended the 
rebuilding of Pardee Hall. 

It is a gratification to the author that, at his request, he has been furnished with the 
following correction and addition to the notice already given of Dr. Addison Ballard. 

In 1S42 he was graduated at Williams College with the first honor of his class ; Dr. Hopkins since having remarked 
to the friend who supplies this information, that " his Valedictory Oration and Address was the first which had not 

received a stroke of his pen in the way of 
criticism." 

From his Professorship in Williams, on 
account of illness in his family, he resigned in 
1S55, accepting a call to the Professorship of 
Astronomy, Mathematics and Natural Philoso- 
phy in Marietta College, against the earnest 
wish of President Hopkins and the entire 
body of students under his charge, as ex- 
pressed in the following petition and memo- 
rial, wiiich the Doctor still retains, and among 
the signatures of which paper is found the 
autograph of James A. Garfield : 

"The undersigned, students of Williams 
College, having learned with deep regret that 
Professor Ballard contemplates dissolving his 
connection with this Institution, beg leave to 
present to him this memorial and petition : 

"That his connection here as Instructor 
has been to us both pleasant and profitable, 
and we have always found in him the faithful 
and able Teacher, and if he must leave he will 
carry with him our profound respect and sin- 
cere affection. But we earnestly and respect- 
fully petition, that, if it be at all consistent with 
his own interest and pleasure, he will consent 
to remain, that we may still enjoy the benefit 
of his thorough instructions and refined gentle- 
manly influence." 

From Marietta, where he had e.xpected to 
make his life work (and where as an induce- 
ment to remain, President Andrews tendered 
to him the Chair of Moral Philosoyphy) he 
responded to an urgent and repeated call from 
both Faculty and People to the Pastorate of 
the First Congregational Church in Williams- 
town, Mass., where he labored for seven years; 
whence he went, in acceptance of a unanimous 
call to the Pastorate of the First Congrega- 
tional Church of Detroit, Mich., remaining 
until 1872. While in Detroit, Dr. Ballard 
was cordially invited by the Trustees to the Chair of Moral Philosophy in Marietta College. Notwithstanding the 
warm attachment which he had formed for Dr. Andrews and for the Institution over which he so wisely presided, as 
well as for the congenial duties of the chair to which he had been unanimously appointed, Dr. Ballard felt con- 
strained to decline the appointment on account of the attractiveness of his new field of labor and the special kindness 
of his Detroit parishioners in having just at that time made a large and wholly unexpected increase of his salary. 
In 1S74 he was appointed Professor of the newly established chair of The Douglass Professorship of Christian Greek 
and Latin in Lafayette College. 

After about two and one-half years, owing to the unexpected failure of the funds, this Professor.ship being aband- 
oned, Dr. Ballard was transferred by the Trustees to the chair of Moral Philosophy, to which at the request of the 




.\r>DISON BALL.iRD, D. D., 

Professor of Moral Philosophy and Rhetoric. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



339 



President, was added that of Rhetoric. Dr. Ballard has also given Instruction, during these years, in Political 
Economy and the Constitution of the United States, and is Dean of the Senior Class. 

Some ten years since, Dr. Ballard began earnest efforts to assist in raising endowment funds for the College. In 
this he was from the first kindly encouraged by the Hon. John I. Blair, first by a verbal promise of 85,000, and later, 
October ist, 1880, by a conditional subscription of Sio.ooo, which, January 26th, 1881, Mr. Blair increased uncondi- 
tionally to the sum of $40,000, delivering the same to Dr. Ballard on the ist of March following. 

On the accession of Dr. Knox to the Presidency, at Dr. Ballard's request, Mr. Blair generously supplemented this 
by the additional gift of $16,000, for the purchase of the President's house. Toward the endowment of Dr. March's 
chair, in 18S1, and later. Dr. Ballard has succeeded in raising $5,960 — making in all $61,960. 

During the present year. Dr. Ballard has received an Honorary Degree as Member of the London Society of 
Science, Letters and Art. 

EX-PRESIDENTS OF L.^FAYETTE COLLEGE. 

John William Yeomans, D. D. In the spring of 1841 he accepted the Presidency of Lafayette College, remain- 
ing until the early part of the year 1845, when he became pastor of the Mahoning Church, at Danville, Pa. 

Daniel V. McLean, D. D. He was called to the Presidency of Lafayette College in 1850, and remained till 1857, 
when he again resumed the duties of pastor, ministering to a congregation in Plainfield, N. J., and later in Red Bank, N.J. 

Rev. George Wilson McPhail, D. D. In 1854 he was called to Easton as the first pastor of the Brainerd Church. 
In Oiftober, 1857, he was elefted President of Lafayette College, which place he occupied till 1863, when he resigned, 
and became connedled with Professor Saunder's Seminary, Philadelphia. 



Names of former members of the Faculty who were not Alumni of Lafayette College : 



Rev. Solon Albee, A. M., Tutor '52-'54 

Rev. E. Thompson Baird,D.D.,Prof.ofChem. '45-46 
Joseph Alden,« D. D., LL. D., Prof, of Moral 

Philosophy '53-'57 

Arthur Latham Baker,»C. E., Prof, of C.T. E. 
Francis C. Blake, Tutor and Adjunct Prof, of 

Analytical Chemistry '77-'79 

E. H. Barlow, A. M., Prof, of Rhetoric and 

Elocution ... '7o-'79 

P. A. Brown, LL. D., Prof, of Geology . . . '37-'47 
Rev. George Burrowes,'"' D. D., Prof, of Latin 

and Greek '50-'55 

A. H. Canghey, A. M. Adjunct Prof, of Latin '75 
A. B. Clemence, B. S. Asst. in Chemistry . . '8i-'82 
Rev. William Cunningham, Prof, of Ancient 

Languages '37-'39 

Thomas M. Drown, M. D., Prof, of Analytical 

Chemistry . ... '75 

Wni. F. Durand, Ph. D., Asst. Prof, of C. E.'83-'8s 
Rev. J. R. Eckard, D. D., Prof of Rhetoric 

and History '58-'7' 

Robert Frazer, - A. M., Adjunct Prof. C. E . '72-'73 
Samuel Galloway, A. M.,Prof.of Mathematics . '34-'35 

Rev. J. P. Hecht, Prof, of Latin '4o-'45 

C. H. Hitchcock, ■•■Ph. D., Prof, of Mineralogy '70 
M. Hale Jones,"* Prof, of Jurisprudence . . . '75-'77 
Rev. D.X. Junkin,»D.D.,Prof. Belles Lettres. '37- '42 
James I. Kuhn,-- Prof, of Latin and Greek . . '32-'37 
Rev. John Leaman,* A. M., M. D., Prof, of 

Natural History '58-'65 



Rev. A. Linn, D. D., Tutor and Adjuna Prof.'54- '57 

Rev. John Lloyd, Tutor '42 

C. F. McCay,* LL. D., Prof, of Mathematics 

and Astronomy '32-'33 

Rev. Arthur Mitchell, D. D., Tutor '53-'54 

JaniesC. Moffat, D.D.,Prof.ofGreekand Latin '41 
Ed.S.Moffart,A.M.,M.E., Adj. Prof, of Mining '70 
Samuel McCuUoh, Adjunct Prof, of Latin and 

Greek '39-'4o 

Robert W. Mahon, C. E., Ph. D., Adjuna 

Prof, of Chemistry and Metallurgy . . '82-'84 
Rev. C.W. Nassaw, D. D., Prof. Prest.,'49-'50. '4i-'50 
William Newbrough,-* E. M., Tutor .... '84-'86 

Rev. Isaac G. Ogden, Tutor '52 

Rev. H. S. Osbern,LL. D.,Prof.of Metallurgy. '66-'7o 
Frederick Prime, Jr., A. M. Prof, of Mining . '70-'8i 
Rev. Fred. A. Ranch, ■- Ph. D.,Prof. of German. '31 
R. W. Raymond, Ph. D., Leaureron Geology '70 
Rev. J. W. Richards, D. D., Prof, of German . '47-51 
Rev. Alfred Ryors, D. D., Tutor, Adj. Prof. . '36-'37 

Rev. Ale.xander Scott, A. M., Tutor 'S6-'S7 

Rev. O.S. St. John, k. M., Prof, of Languages '46 
Frederick Schmidt,* Prof, of German .... '35-'4o 
Theo. F. Tillinghast,* C. E.,Prof.of Civil Eng. '7o-'72 
Joseph Torrey,«Jr.,A.B.,Tutor in Chemistry. '84-'85 
H. F. Walling, C. E., Prof, of Civil Eng . . . '67-'7o 
W. F. Worthington,* U. S. Navy, Asst. Prof. 

.Applied Mechanics '79-'8i 

David P. Yeomans, M. D., Prof, of Cheraistry'4i-'45 
- Indicates deceased. 



Names of former members of the Faculty who were Alumni of Lafayette College : 



Rev. Wm. Henry Green, D. D., LL. D., Tutor 

and Adjuna Prof, of Mathematics .... '4i-'44 

David Moore, A. M., Adjuna Prof, of Latin 

and Greek '37-'39 

Hon. Wm. S. Kirkpatrick, A. M., Dean of the 

Law Department '75-/7 

Joseph Junkin, A. M '44-'46 



David B. King, \. M., Tutor, Adjunct Prof. 

and Prof, of Latin '7i-'86 

John G. Diefenderfer, C. E., Tutor and 

Adjuna Prof, of Modern Languages . . . '7,?-'83 

Joseph Stevens, D. D '42-'42 

Ninian Bannatyne, A. M '43'"43 

Robert Newton, M. D '43-'44 



^ 



340 THE HISTORY OF 

Joseph E. Nassan, D. D '46-'48 John Meigs, Ph. D '72-'75 

James T. Doran, A. M '48-'48 Jefferson Snyder '72-'73 

Isidore Loewenthal, A. M '48-'48 Francis VV. Edgar, A. M '73-'74 

W. W. Cottingham, A. M '48-'49 Charles E. Burns, A. M '73-'74 

\Vm. F. P. Noble, A. M '49-50 Nathaniel Taylor '73-'74 

W. W. Cottingham, A. M 'S'-'SZ Wm. S. Sweeney, A. M '74-'76 

Samuel R. Gayley, A. M '55-'55 W. H. Schuyler, Ph. D '74-'77 

Edsall Ferrier, D. D '57-'58 J- R- Shimer,M. E '75-'77 

Charles Corss, A. M '58-'6o E. S. Barrick, A. M '75-'77 

Henry T. Lee, A. M '6o-'6i Allen P. Berlin, C. E '80 

M. N. Appleget, A. M '63-'64 John W. Nute, C. E '82-'S4 

Wm. Grove Meigs, A. M '65-'66 J. D. Updegrove, A. M '84 

George T. Keller, A. M '66-'69 Elvvood A. Schultz, B. S '85-'88 

Benj. C. Youngman, A. M '68-69 Robins Fleming, C. E '85-'88 

John Boyd Grier, A. M '69-'72 Henry F. Marx, A. B '86-'87 

Walter Q. Scott, D. D '69-'73 George D. Gable, A. B '87 

David J. Waller, Jr., Ph. D '70-'/! Wallace McCamant, Ph. B '88 

Ario P.iRDEE, philanthopist, friend of education, was born in Chatham, New York, November 19, 1810. Dr. 
Calvin Pardee, who was a surgeon in the Continental army during the Revolution, was his paternal grandfather. 
Israel Piatt, a captain in the same army, was his maternal grandfather. Mr. Pardee's ancestors on his father's side 
were French Huguenots, who came to this country in the early part of the seventeenth century. Mr. Pardee's engi- 
neering work began in 1S30, on the Delaware and Raritan Canal when he was twenty years old. He received a common 
school education, and having been diligent in study, prepared himself for teaching. He was for some time engaged 
in teaching, and, in 1834, was placed at the head of a surveying corps. In 184S he settled in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. 
Being located in the region of the great anthracite field he opened coal mines which proved very valuable. In 1848 
he built a gravity railroad to Penn Haven, a distance of fourteen miles, as an outlet for the produtl of the mines. 
But in 1854 the Lehigh Valley Railroad was opened, which, with its improved facilities, caused the abandonment of 
the old road in i860. Subsequently he became interested in iron manufacture, and in 1888 was the owner of blast 
furnaces in various localities in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Tennessee. At the beginning of. 
the civil war in 1S61 he fitted out a military company for the national service at his own expense, with which his oldest 
son, Ario Pardee, Jr., served and attained the brevet rank of brigadier-general on January 12, 1865. Mr. Pardee 
became interested in Lafayette College in 1864, and through the influence of Dr. Cattell, then president of the college, 
he gave $20,000 for the endowment of a professorship. At that time this amount was the largest sum ever given by one 
person to any educational institution in Pennsylvania. He soon increased his gift, until in 1S69, it amounted to jj2oo,- 
000, and upon this basis was first established a new curriculum of scientific and technical studies. A new building 
being needed, Mr. Pardee for this purpose, made a further gift of $250,000, to which he afterward added $50,000 for its 
scientific equipment, thus making his donations the princely amount of $500,000. The building shown on another page 
was erected and called Pardee Hall in his honor. It was regarded when finished as the largest and most complete 
scientific college building in the United States. This building was formally dedicated in October, 1S73. It was burned 
in 1879, but was rebuilt with the same external appearance, and of the same size. Mr. Pardee is a director of several 
railroads, including the Lehigh Valley road. He is also an active officer in various charitable organizations. He is 
president of the State Board that has the oversight and control of the second geological survey of Pennsylvania. He 
was a presidential elecftor in 1876, and since 1S82 has been president of the trustees of Lafayette College. Mr. Pardee 
is always seen at the annual commencement of Lafayette, and excites the deepest interest by his presence. He is a 
man of deeds and not of words. He is a man of indefatigable toil, but makes no speeches. His name will ever 
shine among the benefactors of mankind. 

Hon. John I. Blair, was born near the banks of the Delaware river, on a farm near Belvidere, Warren county. 
New Jersey, August 22, 1802. He entered a store as clerk in the village of Hope (a Moravian town) at the age of 
eleven, and at eighteen years of age started in business as merchant at Gravel Hill, which place afterwards was 
named Blairstown, after Mr. Blair, and which has for the past seventy years been his home. 

While Mr. Blair has been engaged from time to time in various avocations, such as merchant, miller, cotton manu- 
facturer, banker, and connected with iron and coal companies, it is more particularly as an organizer and builder of 
railroads that Mr. Blair is noted. He entered the railway service October, 1S46, on the constru(5lion and financiering 
of the Owego & Ithaca Railroad, opened for business, December iS, 1849, During 1850-1851 he aided mainly to finan- 
cier and to build Leggett's Gap Railroad from Scranton to Great Bend, opened for business October, 1847. He raised 
the means to construct the Warren Railroad, and has been president from its organization, March, 1853, to the present 
time. He mainly aided and superintended the construction of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, and 
a director from its commencement to the present time. This road opened for business May 16, 1856. He built with 




A RIO PARDEE 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 341 

his own capital tlie Blairstown Railroad, a road eleven miles in length, connefting his home with the Delaware, Lacka- 
wanna & Western Railroad system at Delaware, between July 4, 1876 and July 4, 1877. He is direftor in the following 
railroad companies : Delaware, Lackawanna & Western ; New York, Lackawanna & Western ; Lackawanna & 
Bloomsburg; Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern ; Union Pacific; Sioux City & YanCton ; Sioux Falls & Dakota ; 
Chicago & Northwestern ; Chicago & Pacific ; Chicago, Iowa & Dakota ; New York, Susquehanna & Western ; St. 
Louis & Hannibal ; Bangor & Portland ; Kansas City & Southern ; Cayuga & Susquehanna ; Cedar Rapids & Mis- 
souri River ; Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul ; Green Bay & Stevens Point ; Warren ; Sioux & Pacific ; Iowa Falls & 
Sioux City ; Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska ; Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley ; Maple River ; Sussex ; Mount Hope ; 
and of the Iowa Railroad Land Company ; Missouri Valley Land & Town Lot Company ; Blair Bridge Company ; 
Sioux City & Iowa Falls Town Lot & Land Company ; and Fremont & Elkhorn Land & Town Lot Company. 

Mr. Blair is the only surviving corporate direftor of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, as he is also 
of many of the other railroads. He was one of the organizers of the Union Pacific Railroad, saving the road by con- 
structing the balance of the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad across the State of Iowa, thus securing a direft 
connection with Chicago ; without which connection the road would have proved a failure. He aided, with others, in 
persuading President Lincoln to locate the Union Pacific Railroad at Omaha. The success of the Union Pacific is 
greatly due to the labors and enterprise of Hon. Oakes Ames. With Mr. Blair Mr. Ames risked his fame and fortune 
to carry out this great enterprise, and the memorial erected to him on the highest point where the road crosses the 
Rocky Mountains will remain an enduring monument to his memory to the end of time. Mr. Blair delights to say 
that a more truly honest man than Oakes Ames never lived. 

Mr. Blair raised the means and constructed the Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad across Iowa to Sioux City ; also 
the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad ; also the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad ; the first road across the State 
of Iowa, often building fifty miles without seeing a house, and building 141 miles once in eight months, and raising a 
million dollars worth of rails for the Union Pacific when the road had little credit. He located and laid out on the vari- 
ous roads and in various states some eighty towns, many of which have since become cities ; the deeds of which con- 
tained the clause, by which the land was forfeited if spirituous liquors were sold on the premises, except for medicinal 
purposes. 

In 1886, when Mr. Blair was 84 years old, lie, in company with gentlemen from New York, went to Oregon, and 
searched diligently along the coast of that State for a good harbor, from which to extend a railroad to the interior of 
the State, and thus connect large mining interests with the sea-board. And from the coast he traveled more than a 
hundred miles into the interior to trace out a bed for the road. It is rare indeed that a man of his age can perform 
deeds of this kind. He told the author that he had no time to ride in the daytime. He would take the train at Belvi- 
dere at nine in the evening, and be in Buffalo in the morning. He would do what business he had in that city, and 
take the train at two o'clock p. m., and be in Chicago in the morning. He was a member of the National Republican 
Convention at Chicago, in 1888. He had just completed a railroad from Kansas City to his farm of 300 acres in Mis- 
souri, a distance of over sixty miles, paying every dollar of its cost from his own means. He had procured the 
coaches with which to equip the road, and had them transported to Missouri and from there he went to the meeting of 
the Convention ; at the close of the proceedings, again returned to his new railroad at Kansas City, finished up his 
business, crossed the country to Buffalo, and thence to Belvidere, where the writer saw him enter a car, and engage at 
once into business with the President of the Bangor Railroad, whom he met on the train by arrangement. It is not 
necessary to say that Mr. Blair is a thoroughly temperate man, and now at eighty-six, he reaps the benefits of plain, 
temperate manner of living. He early chose that plain, temperate way of life in which there is the least friction to the 
human organism, and found in it, in a practical sense, the germs of wisdom in whose right hand was length of days, and 
in her left hand riches and honor. He has made donations to Lafayette amounting to near seventy-five thousand 
dollars. 



THE WASHINGTON AND FRANKLIN LITERARY SOCIETIES. 

The Philomathean Literary Society was founded early (about 1830) in the history of 
the Pennsylvania Manual Labor Academy atGermantown. In 1831 some dissension arose 
among the members, the precise nature of which does not appear, and a few of them held 
a preliminary meeting, November 26th, 1831, the final result of which was the founding 
of the Franklin Literary vSociety. Afterwards (1832), the name of the former was changed 
from Philomathean to Washington Literary Society. 

These "Halls" have continued in friendly and stimulating emulation to the present 
time. The exercises of the weekly meetings are mainly the same as at first, viz., the 
reading of original essays and critiques, declamations, debates and original orations. They 
have occupied since 1834 the two halls on the third floor of South College, which they 



342 THE HISTORY OF 

have elegantly furnished for their purpose, Washington the west and Franklin the east ; 
and their respedlive libraries the adjoining rooms. These halls, originally ample in size, 
have, in the recent growth of the College, become far too small for the comfortable accom- 
modation of the societies, and in 1880 they were transferred to the large and beautiful 
quarters in Pardee Hall, already described. 

THE BR.\INERD MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 

The Brainerd Missionary Society was founded February, 1833, and named in honor 
of Rev. David Brainerd, the illustrious missionary who made the vicinity of Easton one 
of his stations. The society was organized with a view to promote a missionary spirit 
among the students, and its influence is seen in the moral and religious tone of the College 
as well as in the number of devoted men among the Alumni who have consecrated them- 
.selves to the work of foreign missions. Until the formation of the Christian Brotherhood, 
the daily prayer-meeting in Brainerd Hall was held under the auspices of this society, 
and also the system of Sabbath schools carried on by the students as superintendents and 
teachers, and now embracing not less than nine schools within a radius of foiir miles from 
the College. 

THE ALUMNI A.SSOCIATION. 

This Society, founded September, 1845, is composed of graduates of the College, and 
such of their classmates (who left College before graduation, and in good standing) as may 
have been elected. The obje(?ts of the association are to continue the relations of friendly 
and cordial intimacy which exist among students of the same institution, and to keep 
alive their interest in Alma Mater. Local sedlions are formed from time to time at remote 
points where a number of alumni are gathered. The annual meeting is held on Tuesday 
preceding commencement, when an oration is delivered, and the business of the society is 
transacted. 

THE CHRI.STIAN BROTHERHOOD. 

In late years, and particularly at the time of the great revivals in 1871 and 1873, large 
additions have been made to the number of professing Christians in the College, and there 
has been a felt need in this growing Christian community for a religious organization 
which should in some measure supply the place of a church as well as a Young Men's 
Christian Association. The Christian Brotherhood was organized in September, 1874, 
with this objedl in view. The following are the articles adopted at its organization : 

1. The Christian Brotherhood of Lafayette College hereby established under the authority of the Board of 
Trustees, is composed of members of the College who are in good and regular standing in any Evangelical 
church, and who signify their willingness to join the organization by subscribing to the covenant 

2. The Brotherhood has no authoritj' to administer the sacraments, or to exercise discipline over its mem- 
bers. Its design is,^;i/, to promote the higher Christian life among its members by a mutual watch and care, 
by praying with and for each other, and by living together in Christian love ; and secondly, to advance the 
kingdom of Christ in the hearts of others in every way that may be indicated by God's Providence. 

3. The details of the management are left to the President of the Faculty, and to a Board of Counselors, 
consisting of three students from each class, who shall be elefted by the several classes the first Thursday- even- 
ing of each session after Divine service. 

The daily pra3-er-meeting in Brainerd Hall, together with the various Sunday-schools 
and religious meetings in the vicinity, which were formerly carried on by the Missionary 
Society, now come more direcflly under the auspices of the Brotherhood. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 343 

THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 

The Natural History Society of Lafayette College was organized by Professor Porter, 
April 6, 1868. Its general aim is to encourage and advance the study of nature in the 
College ; its particular aim, to explore the vicinity (a district comprised in a circle with a 
radius of twenty miles, having Pardee Hall as its centre), to colle6l specimens for a mu- 
seum which shall present as full an exhibit as possible of the natural history of the districl, 
to make maps for illustration, and to gather Indian relics. Acquisitions from abroad are 
also received. 

The meetings are held on alternate Friday evenings during term time, at which papers 
are read, topics discussed, lecftures delivered, and donations for the library or collections 
received. Brief reports of these proceedings are published in The Lafayette. Its library al- 
ready contains a number of valuable scientific works, and its large and rapidly increasing 
collections are most valuable as a further means of instrucftion. 

The Society is constituted of active members eledled by ballot from the professors, 
students and residents in the neighborhood who have at any former time been connected 
with the College ; and correspondents, consisting of old members who have removed to a 
distance, and others chosen by an honorary vote. The Professor of Botany and Zoology 
is President of the Society ex-officio. 

THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY. 
The Lafayette Chemical Society was organized by Professor T. M. Drown in Feb- 
ruary, 1875. Its membership comprises the instrudlors in the chemical department, and 
the students of the College interested in the study of chemistry. Its objecl is to supple- 
ment the regular work of College instru(ftion and study in this department, by encouraging 
and aiding students in independent original research. The professor in charge of the 
laboratories aids the advanced students in condu6ling their investigations, and regular 
weekly meetings are held, at which the results are presented to the Society in the form of 
papers, and the subjedls connected with them discussed by the members. Reports of these 
meetings are published in Tlie Lafayette. The funds of the Society are expended solely 
for the purchase of books and periodicals. A valuable library of books of reference is thus 
rapidly accumulating. 

THE SOCIETY OF PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING. 

This Society has recently been organized by Profs. Moore and Fox. Its obje<5l is the 
discussion of subjedls relating to these departments, but which cannot be fully discussed in 
the regular lectures and recitations of the classes. As soon as the enlargement of Jenks' 
Hall is completed, the Society will have a suitable hall for its meeting and extensive lab- 
oratories for original investigations in Physics, Applied Mechanics, etc. 

In addition to these Societies, there exists, among the students, a number of organi- 
zations ; some for physical exercise, as the athletic, base and foot-ball clubs, others for the 
cultivation of music, as the glee and quartette clubs, the College orchestra, and others of 
a mingled social and literary characfler, comprising the ten chapters of the Greek Letter 
Societies with affiliated branches in other colleges. 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 




'N NO department of the municipal government of Easton was there more 
interest taken than in the Fire Department. All classes of citizens stood 
ready to make any needed sacrifice for the hour of trial and of danger. 
There are many of the older citizens who still look back with pride to 
those heroic days. The following history has been collated from old files 
of papers which have been kindly lent the author. A history might be 
written sufificiently extensive to fill a considerable volume, but only a com- 
prehensive abstract can be given. But it is pleasing to notice the gradual 
growth from the simplicity of early times to the elaborate completeness of 
the present day. And the same spirit of heroic enterprise and personal 
devotion to the public safety is visible now as when the "Rowmen" 

hastened to the burning building and arranged the lines to convey the water from the river 

to the scene of conflagration. 

THE HUM.^NE FIRE COMPANY NO. I. 

The Humane Fire Company was organized in Easton in 1797. The town at that 
time owned a hand engine, but had no company. The new organization applied to 
the Burgesses of the Borough, John Herster, Peter Ihrie and John Ross for the use of 
the engine. The house of Samuel Moore, near the Delaware bridge, had been burned, 
and the people thought it time to a(5l. It is pleasant to read the history of this com- 
pany and compare it with the present time. The first fire after the organization of the 
company was the dwelling of Mr. Batt on North Fourth street. After this conflagration 
they bought eighty feet of hose. This hose was carried in a square basket between 
the arms of the engine until it was consumed in the great fire of 1830-1. A most remark- 
able fact is that the company has not missed attending a single fire occurring in the 
Borough since its organization. The first officers of the company were : President, Abra- 
ham Horn, Sr. ; Secretary, Christian J. Hutter ; Treasurer, Jacob Weygandt. John Hers- 
ter was the Rowman, whose duty it was to form two rows of men from the river to the 
scene of the fire ; one row passed buckets filled with water to the engine, and the other 
passed the empty buckets to the river again, and when there were not men enough, women 
would take their place in the empty bucket line and do their part valiantly. On one occa- 
sion Miss Simmons, a daughter of John Simmons, stood in the Lehigh river and dipped 
water while the fire was raging and ice was frozen in the river at the time. Mrs. Sit- 
greaves, and Misses Erb, Cooper, Spering, Moore, Hays, Barnet, Young, and other ladies 
entered the line and aided in passing the buckets to and from the engine at a fire, Decem- 
ber 13, 1819. Another officer was a Guardman, whose duty it was to guard the goods 
taken from a burning building. In 1830-31 the company was remodeled under a new 
constitution, and the motto, "We Conquer to Save" adopted. The first engine house 
the company occupied stood between the Siegert residence and the Third Street Reformed 



E ASTON. PENN'A. 



345 




Calvin Horn. John Sciple. Geo. Mettler. Richard Knauss. Geo. Finley. 

OFFICERS OF THE HUMANE FIRE COMPANY IN 187O. 

Clinrcli ; and the next was on Church street, near the church. The company took 
possession of the house they last occupied in Centre Square, July 4, 1851, on which 
occasion an oration was delivered by Hon. A. E. Brown. Their apparatus consisted of a 
hydraulic engine, which had been used by the Northampton Fire Company, who pur- 
chased it in New York in 1832, a service hose carriage, built in Philadelphia, in 1846, 
and a parade carriage, which cost $2800, in 1849. ^^'^^ Humane received their first 
steam engine July 10, 1867, built at Philadelphia. This did not suit them and was 
discarded, and another was obtained from Clapp & Jones, Hudson, New York, March 13, 
1870; this being too heavy for hand use, was exchanged by the firm for a much lighter 
and handsomer one, which the company retained until disbandment of the volunteer sys- 
tem, when it was sold to the city of Morristown, N. J. The officers of the company at 
the close of their service were : President, George Finley, who held this position for 
thirty-five consecutive years; Vice President, John R. Beers; Recording Secretary, J. J. 
Smith ; Financial Secretary, H. D. Osterstock ; Treasurer, William E. Hamman ; Trus- 
tees, E. H. Hamman, J. J. Smith and John J. Bishop. They did not disband when the 
Paid Fire Department came into being in 1879. They meet regularly once a year to 
revive the sweet memories of "Auld Lang Syne." The company will never disband, 
except at the stern call of death. 



346 



THE HISTORY OF 



The followiiij^ are the names of the officers and members of the Humane Fire Com- 
pany, No. I, at the time of the change from the Volunteer system to the Paid Department: 

Presidenl— George Finley. Trustees—]. J. Bishop. 



]'ice President — John R. Beers. 
Recording Secretary — J. J. Smith. 
Financial Secretary— H . D. Osterstock. 
Treasurer — Wm. E. Hamman. 
Truslees—K. H. Hamman. 
J.J.Smith. 



Foreman — J. J. Smith. 

Assistant Foreman — George H. Freyberger. 

Engineer — John J. Bishop. 

Assistant Engineer — John R. Beers. 

First Stoker — J. D. Reaser. 

Second Stoker — R. P. Brotzman. 



GEORGE FINLEY 
Was born in Fasten, March 12th, 
1S16. His father's name was Sam- 
uel Rush Finley, who was born in 
New Jersey. Prominent amongthe 
early settlers of Central New Jer- 
sey were the Finleys, who were 
of Irish descent. Among the prom- 
inent men who bore the name 
were Dr. Samuel Finley, Presi- 
dent of Princeton College, and Dr. 
Robert Finley, President of the 
University of Georgia. The for- 
mer came from Ireland in 1734, 
the latter was born in Princeton, 
New Jersey, in 1772. Mr. George 
Finley, of Easton, traces his an- 
cestry back to these early fami- 
lies. He learned the shoemaker's 
trade in his youth, but did not 
make it a profession. He was en- 
gaged as a barber for thirty years. 
For the last twenty years he has 
been engaged in supplying the 
public with the daily papers of 
New York and Philadelphia, and 
also the leading magazines of the 
day. He was elected President of 
the Humane Fire Company, Octo- 
ber 24, 1842, and served till April 
II, 1853. He was re-elected, Jan- 
uary 9, 1854, and still retains the 
office. He has thus been presi- 
dent of this company forty-five 
years, and served as Chief of the 
Volunteer Fire Department, being 
the last to have that honor. Mr. 
Finley was married in 1840, during 
the unparalleled e.xcitement of the 
Harrison campaign. His wife is 
still living. He has had two chil- 
dren, both of whom are dead. Two 
grand-children survive. 




E. M. Alcott, 
C. A. Albright, 
J. R. Allabach, 
William Arndt, 
C. A. Bachman, 
J. W. Bush, 
E. A. Burke, 
J. T. Carney, 
H. C. Diehl, 



J. W. Garren, 
Valentine Gabert 
J. C. Hamman, 
P. H. Heck, 
T. W. Hildeb 
A. J. Knauss, 
I. S. Moser, 
Thomas Merter, 
E. S. Nungesser 



nd, 



Theodore Oliver. 
William J. Pohl, 
Robert Peacock, 
H. E. Purdy, 
G. W. Reichard, 
Charles Reaser. 
E. P.Shuler, 
\V. J. Semple, 
G. W. Snyder, 



Thomas Stoneback, 
E. A. Rinker, 
William H. Thomas, 
William H. Warner, 
Wm.H. Werkheiser, 
M. L. Werkheiser, 
Henry Weidknecht, 
S. C. Weidknecht. 



EASTO\\ PENN'A. 



347 




/-*sr 



THE PHCENIX FIRE COMPANY NO. 2. 

The Phoenix Fire Company was organized January 17, 1824, being the second fire 
company formed in our Borough. The old minutes of the company were swept away by 
a disastrous flood in 1841. The account from which we write was prepared from the recol- 
lections of the older members. The first officers of the company were : President, Alex- 
ander E. Brown ; Secretary, T. Ouiutus Hutter ; Foreman, Andrew H. Reeder. There 
were twenty-eight members of the company, exclusive of the officers. 

The first engine used by 
'• the company was built by 

Pat. Lyons, of Philadelphia, 
and George Luckenbach, of 
Easton, built the company's 
first hose carriage. On March 
31, 1828, a committee, com- 
posed of A. E. Brown, T. R. 
Sitgreaves, A. H. Reeder, 
Chas. W. Mixsell and Sam- 
uel Shick, was appointed to 
draft a new constitution for 
the company. The same 
year a new engine was pur- 
chased, built by Joel Bates, 
of Philadelphia. In 1835, 
the company was reorgan- 
ized with Christian Butz, 
President, William iMellick, 
Foreman, John J. Otto, As- 
sistant Foreman. At this 
time the company consisted 
of forty members. March i, 
1847, ^^^ ^'s*^ of officers was : 
President, John B. Odenwel- 
der ; Secretary, Sam' 1 Shouse ; 
Treasurer, C. F'. Siegert, and 
the company numbered over 
seventy members. The fire- 
men of that day tell with a good deal of interest the story of a fire that occurred 
on the evening of July 25, 1850. When the fire was first seen it appeared to be at 
Germantown, on Northampton street, and the firemen began to arrange their hose for that 
locality, and one of the companies aftually "attached their hose to a plug half-way down 
the hill," and ran to the further end of Northampton, and found the fire as far away as 
when they first started. They then thought the fire was on the Bushkill in the dire<5lion 
of Thompson's distillery. The noble fellows pressed on to the next supposed scene of 
disaster. But there was )io fire there. They began to think it might be a huge ignis 
falHits. But it still blazed in the darkness ahead. After a short consultation they con- 




PHcTiNi.K Engine Hoi'se. 



348 THE HISTORY OF 

eluded it must l^e at Seip's, and away all started again ; arriving at vSeip's, tlicrc was no 
Jire^ except in the dim distance. The neighbors now told them it was only brush burn- 
ing on the blue mountains. All except the Phoenix returned. Amid all discouragements 
the boys pressed on to Nazareth and found the fire two miles beyond ; with redoubled zeal 
they pressed on, and arrived so as to render valuable assistance, which farmer Cramer hand- 
somely acknowledged. The fire occurred in a large barn filled with the results of har- 
vesting which had just closed. The distance was nine miles, and was run over, dragging 
their machine, in one hour and forty minutes. "A feat unparalleled in the history of any 
company within the bounds of any city or borough." They returned home in the morn- 
ing, tired, and somewhat wiser than when they started. They made up their minds to 
use horse power the next time a fire occurred in the country. They fixed a tongue to 
their engine and gave notice to people in the country, " that when they needed assistance at 
fires, to send a span of Jiorses, ready harnessed., and they would be on hand.^^ The com- 
pany occupied, for a number of years, a house which stood in the rear of the old County 
House. This became unfit for use, and a new brick building was eredled in 1858, on 
Ferry street, below Sitgreaves. It was built at the expense of the borough, and was 
handsomely frescoed and painted at the expense of the company. The dedication of this 
new house was the cause of a grand ball in Masonic Hall, 06lober 26, 1859, which was 
attended by all the notable people of the borough. In November, 1858, shortly after the 
completion of the house, the company purchased an alarm bell, it being the first one in 
Easton. The Phoenix Company was the first Easton company to purchase a steam fire 
engine, and after years of labor they succeeded in raising sufficient funds for that pur- 
pose. They sele6led a powerful engine of the Amoskeag make, and it arrived here in 
1865, which was an occasion of grand rejoicing. A few years later they purchased a 
hose carriage, also of the Amoskeag pattern. Both machines were drawn by horses, 
and depended entirely upon them to draw their apparatus to fires. In order to pay 
the expenses of keeping the teams and driver they commenced the business of carting 
merchandise and sprinkling the streets, which paid all the expenses and left a balance 
in the treasury. They purchased the property at the corner of Sitgreaves street, adjoin- 
ing their engine house, and eredled in 1870, in the rear, a brick dwelling for the use 
of the driver. In 1876 they tore down the old frame which stood immediately in 
front of this dwelling, and eredled a handsome three-story brick building, making it a 
large and commodious residence. The Phoenix was an organization of which the citizens 
might well feel proud. Its members were faithful, adlive and vigilant, and where duty 
called most loudly, there they were always found, never shrinking in the hour of danger, 
nor faultering in the moment of trust. As citizens, none were more respecfled ; as fire- 
men, none were more honored. As the time approached for the incoming of the Paid 
Fire Department, the property of the company was sold (the city buying their engine), 
all bills were paid, and the balance remaining in the treasury, was distributed among 
the members in good standing, each receiving over $400. And the Phoenix became a 
thing of the past. 

The names of the presidents, secretaries, and treasurers of the company from its 
organization to the present time were : Presidents, Alexander E. Brown, Christian Butz, 
William B. Mellick, John B. Odenwelder, Charles Otto, P. M. Mellick, Charles H. Yard, 
George L. Fried, Benjamin M. Youells, and A. F. Heller. Secretaries, T. O. Hutter, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



349 



Abraham Bixler, Stewart Miller, A. C. Kessler, P. M. Mellick, and G. W. Wilhelm. 
Treasurers, T. R. Sitgreaves, William A. Bush, C. F. Siegert, C. W. Kinsey, Johu 
Reichard and C. B. Zulick. 

The ofBcers and members at time of disbandment were as follows : 



President— A. F. Heller. 
Vice President — Joseph S. Osterstock. 
Secretary— ]ohn Cummings. 
Treasurer— C. B. Zulick. 
Trustees— D. W. Snyder. 

" Robert Ballantine. 

" Benjamin Beatty. 



Foreman — Abram Bachman. 

Assistant Foreman — Joseph Zink. 

Engineer — John H. Reichard. 

Assistant Engineer — Robert Arnold. 

Fireman — Charles Arnold. 

Driver — Benjamin Beatty. 

Members — Benjamin M. Youells, Solan Mover. 



THE WASHINGTON FIRE COMPANY, NO. 3. 

The next reo-ularly organized company was the Washington Fire Company, No. 3, 
which was instituted January 25, 1840, and located in a building on Walnut, above Sixth 
street. From there they moved to a frame building on South Sixth street, between Ferry 
and Pine streets. The first officers were : President, W. L. Sebring ; Secretary, C. R. 
Lane ; Treasurer, John Await. Their first apparatus was the hand engine and hose which 



the Columbia, No. 2, 
solution. The Wash- 
service with this ap- 
15, 1869, when they 
fire engine from the 
a cost of $4250, and 
the handsomest en- 
1870 the company 
alarm bell from the 
pany, of Philadelphia. 




abandoned at its dis- 
ington members did 
paratus until Sept. 
purchased a steam 
Amoskeag Works, at 
which was considered 
gine in Easton. In 
also purchased an 
FairmountFireCom- 
They took passession 



of their brick house on Sixth street in 1862, which they occupied until their disbandment. 

Gift balls were very common during volunteer days, and the company had been very 
fortunate in an enterprise of this kind. They offered a number of prizes, the principal 
one of which was a house and lot, No. 1050 Washington street, and this was drawn by 
the company. This venture gave them a bank account of $7000. They took great 
pride in everything conne(5led with their house, and particularly with their reception 
room, which was fitted up regardless of expense. The furniture was elegant in design 
and finish, very costly, and was made by David Garis, of Easton. A life-size portrait 
of General Washington graced the walls. The members of the company still look with 
pleasure, mingled with sadness, at the happy hours spent in that pleasant and quiet retreat. 

They recall with pleasant emotions a banquet held in 1876. All the older members 
were present, and among them was a Mr. Dennis, who was eighty years old. He made 
the fleeting hours pass pleasantly alo-.ig by telling incidents of his early experience amid 
the dangers and excitements of fierce battles with the fiery storm, narrow escapes from 
falling timbers and bursting flames. Another very pleasant meeting is remembered when 
they received a delegation from the Fairmount Company of Philadelphia, who presented 
the company with the uniform and service horn of David N. Lyle, President of the Fair- 



350 



THE HISTORY OF 



mount, and the father of the Fire Department of Philadelphia. Various other articles 
were presented, among which was a neat frame enclosing the following lines : 

" When fire is cried aud danger nigh, 
God and the firemen is the people's cry ; 
When the fire is out aud all things righted, 
God is forgot and the firemen slighted." 

These relics are still in the possession of members of the company. The Washington 
had always been one of the best and most adlive fire companies in Easton, and from the 
central and elevated position of their house, were enabled to be among the first at almost 
every fire, no matter in what dire6lion or at what di.stance it might be. But the time for 
the change had come. The Volunteer Department, with its sweet memories and patriotic 
associations, was soon to be a thing to be remembered. The property of the company 
was sold. The city bought their engine, carriage and alarm bell, all of which the new 
department use, the bell being used at the Central Station. The debts were all paid, and 
the money remaining in the treasury was divided equally among the members in good 
and regular standing. Nelson Bishop was treasurer, who, at the final meeting, paid over 
to each member $160.89. Each of the members made presents to his fellow member. 
The business of the organization was done. The members rising, formed a circle, took 
each other by the hand, with the president standing in the centre ; the motion to adjourn 
sine die was sadly passed, and the brave Washington Fire Company was no more. In 
menwria duke. The following composed the company at time of disbandment : 

Prendent^]o\\n Dachrodt. T'rajr/,?^'— George Kutz. 

Mce Presidenf— Fred. Troxell. J^oreman—] ames Long. 

Secretary Henry A. Seibel. Assistant Foreman — Richard Tcnipliri. 

Treasurer—NeXson Bishop. Engineer— nf:\sor\ Bishop. 

Trustees— ]ohn Denninger. Assistanl—C\\a.T\es Warner. 

" Fred. Tro.xell. Fireman — Henry A. Seibel. 
Members— U. Theo. Lerch, Charles Schleicher, Conrad Boas, Peter Boas, Jacob Boas, Charles Fox, William 
Templin. 

THE SOUTHWARK HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY NO. I. 

The Southwark Hook and Ladder Company No. i was instituted (as Southwark Hose 
Company No. 4) August 5, 1856. They were an independent company ; they rented the 
ground where Jacob Walter's feed store now stands on South Third street and erected 

their house among themselves — many of 
the members being carpenters by trade. 
They purchased the old carriage from the 
Southwark Company of Philadelphia and 
adopted their name. The first officers 
were : President, Thomas Dawes ; Secre- 
tary, William Osinun; Treasurer, William Barnet. On Sept. 12, 1869, they made application 
to Council to be changed to a truck company, which was granted, and Council purchased 
for them a hook and ladder truck, and built a new brick house on Lehigh street. The 
company had a very large membership of a6live men, mostly railroaders, and they did 
duty until April, 1876, when they disbanded, owing to the difficulty of seledling a chief 
engineer. The company reorganized again on June 13, 1876. It was always very active 
and efficient, and had the reputation of being one the best organizations in the department. 




E ASTON, PENN'A. 



351 



At the time of the change, from the old to the new department, the city government took 
possession of the truck, the company sold their effedls, settled their bills, and divided the 
balance in the treasury to the members in good standing, each of whom received $22.72. 
The officers and members at the close of their service were : 



President — Elisha Johnson. 
Vice President — Calvin Horn. 
Treasurer — William H. Troxell. 
Recording Secretary — Albert H. Gosner. 
Financial Secretary— Wovi^^xA Naylor. 
Foreman — Howard Barnes. 



First Assistant Foreman — Samuel Vannornian. 
Second " " John Bachman. 

Li6rarian~ChaT\es P. Diehl. 
Trustees — A. J. Bullman. 

" Herman Santee. 

" Charles Genther. 



.Mbert Green, 
George Grube. 
E. Johnson, 
William Kelly, 
Fred. Koch, 
Herman Santee, 
Honorary Member — John Mettler. 



MEMBERS. 
Arthur Tro.xell, 
Samuel Vannorman, 
John Leidy, 
W'illiani Laros, 
Edward Miller, 
J. H. Mebus, 



Thomas McCorniick, 
Savillian Otto, 
George Rice, 
Thomas Rice, 
William H. Troxell. 



THE KEYSTONE FIRE COMPANY NO. 5. 

The KeN'stone Library and Literary Association was organized June 2, 1856, and 011 
June 2, 1857, they applied to Council to be recognized as a fire company, to take the house 
of the Union Hose Company, corner of Third and Bushkill streets, which had disbanded 
after a serv'ice of five years. The apparatus consisted of a carriage made by Charles Dud- 
ley, of this city, in 1852, and a hand engine. As soon as they were accepted by Council 
they had the old hand engine repaired and neatly painted, 
and gave a parade in honor of the event. The first offi- 
cers of the Keystone were : President, John A. Meeker ; 
\'ice President, W. C. Ackerman ; Secretary, D. W. Phil- 
lippe ; Treasurer, D. F. Davis ; Librarian, John Bixler ; 
Janitor, B. F. Seip ; Trustees, W. C. Ackerman, Henry 
C. Miller and A. J. Knauss ; Foreman of Hose, C. J. Able ; 
Assistant, John Crawford ; Engineer, H. C. Miller ; As- 
sistant, Chas. W. Meeker. They were among the most 
aclive of our firemen, and the first to adopt the uniform of the New York firemen, of 
red shirts and regulation hats. 

The war of the rebellion casting its dark shadows over the land, and calling for vol- 
unteers everywhere, the company, in April 1861, closed the building, and hung these 
words over the doors, "All Gone to War." For nearly two years their history is found in 
the war records of the Rebellion. July 29, 1861, the hose house was draped in mourning 
in memory of William H. Wilking, the first member of the company, and one of the first 
soldiers of the war. August 11, 1861, the engine house was again draped in mourning 
for A. W. Hays, secretary of the company. August 13, 1862, the members of the com- 
pany volunteered the second time, except three, and hurried to the front. When the 
boys returned, September 7, 1863, they petitioned Council to have their house repaired, 
which was granted. They refurnished it, and the Keystone felt at home again. In 1864 
the company held a fair and festival to help raise funds for the Sanitary Commission, and 




352 



THE HISTORY OF 



sent more inonev for that purpose than an)' two companies in the states of Pennsylvania, 
New Jersey or Delaware, these three states being the ones that contributed to the Phila- 
delphia Fair. March 29, 1865, their house was again draped in mourning for thirty daj-s 
in honor of William H. Weaver, who early enlisted in the service of the war. In the same 
year the company petitioned Council for a new house, their petition was granted, and 
a house was built on Bushkill street. In March, 1867, they held a concert in Masonic Hall, 
the receipts of which enabled them to furnish their reception room very handsomely. In 
1869 the company decided to raise funds for the purchase of a steam fire engine, and were 
successful in their efforts, purchasing an engine the following year from Cole Brothers' 
Works, at Pawtucket, R. I. The whole number of members had been 150. The num- 
ber of a<?tive members on the roll in 1869, in good standing, was 57. The company was 
at the burning of Pardee Hall, and did good service, eighteen members being present. 
This fire was the last one of importance attended by the company. There 
were alarms, and a few unimportant fires occurred, but the hard work of 
the Volunteer Department was virtually ended when the fire was extinguished 
on College Hill. The company kept up its discipline, and was always ready 
for adlion when the alarm should call them to duty. In the fall of 1879 
preparations were made to close up the affairs of the organization and dis- 
band, as the new order of things was to take their place. The property of the company 
was sold. Their engine, which had cost $4500, was sold to the borough of Washing- 
ton, N. J., for the low sum of $1600, and a company was formed there which was called 
the Keystone, after the Easton boys. Their bills were paid, and the balance of the 
money on hand was divided equally among the members in good standing, and the acflive 
and gallant Keystone passed into history. The following is a list of the officers and 
members when the company disbanded : 




President — Tliomas F. Siegfried. 
Vice President— ^WWavci Trumbore. 
Secretary — John M. Odenwelder. 
Treasurer — John J. Bell. 
Engineer — Thomas F. Siegfried. 
Assistant Engineer — Henry S. Coburn. 
Fireman — Daniel Butz. 



Assistant /"/r««a«— William Butz. 
Foreman — John J. Stoneback. 
Assistant Foreman — Henry F. Arnold. 
Trustees — George S. Porter. 
" Thomas Curran. 

" Henry S. Coburn. 

Librarian— K\e\\ Hayden. 



C. F. Bealer, 
John J. Butz, 
John Bowers, 
James K. Dawes, 
H. Griffith, 
H. A. Hayden, 



MEMBERS. 

T. H. Michler, 
G. M. Oberly, 
Charles Oberly, 
Charles M. Porter, 
George Steckel, 



George Smith, 
George H. Lesher 
John L. Wilking, 
Charles Seip, 
Isaac Pi.xley. 



THE LAFAYETTE FIRE COMPANY NO. 6. 

On January 11, 1872, a fire company was organized in the Third Ward, known as the 
Jackson Hose, but on April 11, 1872, the title was changed to Lafayette. The members 
were the best citizens of College Hill, and as a company they did valiant service, and 
responded promptly to every call. In April, 1879, they purchased a steam engine of the 
Silsby pattern. At the burning of Pardee Hall, in June 1879, with their engine they per- 
formed good work, and it was the only fire at which they rendered service as an engine 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 



353 



company. Their engine was purchased by the city when they disbanded, and it is known 
as No. 3 in the new department. The following were the last officers and members of the 
company : 



President — Enos Werkheiser. 
Vice President — William Brinker. 
Secretary — Theodore Schug. 
Treasurer— C\\».r\^s A. Laros. 
Foreman — Joseph H. Laros. 
Assistant Foreman — Charles King. 
Engineer — Van Selan Walter. 
Assistant Engineer — Erwin Walter. 



Jeremiah Dietrich, 
Daniel Brinker. 
Charles H. Uhler, 
Henry Steinmetz, 
Amandus Schug, 
William Slaven, 
William H. Fraunfelder, 
Edwin Sandt, 



Fireman — ^James P. Fraunfelder. 
Assistant Fireman — Irvin F. Frey. 
Librarian — Clinton Thomas. 
Janitor— V . Henry Schug. 
Trustees — Uriah Thomas. 

" Van Selan Walter. 

" Amandus Steinmetz. 



MEMBERS. 

William C. Cattell, 

John Gradwohl, 

C. G. Beitel, 

James P. Fraunfelder, 

Joel Bauer, 

John Delp, 

Quintus F. Messinger, 



John C. Michie, 
John Schaible, 
Charles Lerch, 
William Adams, 
Jeremiah Keller, 
Lewis Fraunfelder, 
John Fraunfelder. 



THE LIBERTY FIRE COMPANY NO. 7. 

In October, 187S, the citizens of the Seventh Ward held a public meeting at the resi- 
dence of William Gerspach, and organized the Liberty Fire Company, No. 7, which 
Council recognized, and admitted into the department December 27, 1878 ; built for them 
a brick building, corner of Twelfth and Spruce streets, and had the old carriage of the 
Humane repaired for their use. The company was making arrangements for the purchase 
of a steamer when the Volunteer Fire Department gave place to the Paid Department. 
During their existence they had no occasion to answer an alarm of fire. The officers and 
members were as follows : 



President — h. J. Snyder. 
Vice President — Thomas B. Unangst. 
Recording Secretary — McUhaney. 
Financial Secretary — Depue M. Ellet. 
Treasurer — William F. Keller. 



Henry Beers, 
Simon P. Bachma 
Joseph Berkey, 
Christ. Gephardt, 
John Gephardt, 



MEMBERS. 

Charles Harman, 
John Hartman, 
William H. Kuhn, 
James McCauley, 
William H. Nagle, 



Foreman of Hose — George W. Helm. 
/./Arizr/aw— William H. Sigman. 
Trustees— Q.\\2Lx\<t'!, Schwep. 

Marion A. Pentz. 

Robert E. Kuhn. 



E. O. Smith, 
John Seiss, 
Forest Snyder, 
A. Weisenbach. 



In 1869 the management of the Fire Department was so far changed as to ele<5l a 
Chief Engineer, who should control the working of the entire force. Captain Charles 
H. Yard was the first Chief Engineer. Owing to the difference of opinion between him 
and the appointing power he resigned at the end of nine months, when Col. Charles Glanz 
was appointed to the position of Chief Engineer. James Ward was appointed the suc- 
cessor of Col. Charles Glanz in 1870. James Mutchler succeeded James Ward in 187 1, and 
George Finley followed James Mutchler in 1872, and was the last Chief Engineer of the 
Volunteer Fire Department. 



354 THE HISTORY OF 

We have thus given a brief account of our \'olunteer Fire Department of the last 
eighty years, and we regret that time and space does not permit us to go more into detail. 
In closing this sketch we cannot forbear mentioning and bearing our humble testimony as 
to their efficiency. They were faithful, reliable men, going where duty called without a 
murmuring word. 

" Farewell, brave lads ! Thus pass away 
All landmarks of an earlier day. 
Phoenix may rise from ashes cold, 
But not his namesakes worn and old. 
Nor Humane hearts shall beat again. 
When midnight bells, through snow and rain 
Send forth their frantic peals for aid 
While homes are fast in ashes laid. 
The old department swiftly falls. 
No Keystone now can prop its walls. 
High on the hill, like lifeless stones 
Are sleeping now the ]i'asliinglons ; 
Bold Sout/uciark's works are erupt}' now. 
And silent there the mosses grow. 
Young Lafayette may home return. 
And idly sit while houses bum ; 
And, weeping "round him, sadly see 
The youthful Sons of Liberty ; 
But still with sad emotions swell 
Our hearts while bidding them ' Farewell.' " 

THE EASTON PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The Volunteer Fire Department having ceased to exist at 12 o'clock at night, 0(5lober 
30, 1879, the Paid Fire Department began its existence November i, 1879. The wisdom 
of this has long since became apparent. Shakespeare says that a "little fire is quickly 
trodden out, which, being suffered, rivers cannot quench." The borough fathers learned 
this from experience rather than Shakespeare ; but at any rate they learned it, and profited 
by their knowledge. 

There was a fear among many of our citizens of the inability of the small force of 
a Paid Department to cope with serious fires, which was, however, soon overcome when 
opportunity was given for the men to show the advantage of training and discipline. 
The companies from 1879 to 1882 were located as follows : Engine Company No. i, at 
old Phoenix engine hou.se at Ferry and Sitgreaves streets ; Engine Company No. 2, at the 
old Washington engine house on South Sixth street ; and Hook and Ladder Company 
No. I, at the old truck house on Lehigh street. In 1882 those properties were sold by 
acl of Council and the commodious fire station on North Sixth street built, which is now 
occupied by the companies above named. Engine Company No. 3 occupies an excellent 
building on New street, College Hill, and the old Liberty hose house at Twelfth and 
Spruce streets is occupied by the department as a reserve station. 

The department now consists of 38 men, 7 horses, 3 engines, 3 hose carriages, a patrol 
wagon and a Hayes truck. The department has 5000 feet of hose and 71 fire plugs to 
which they may be attached. There are also three cisterns in the city from which water 
may be drawn for fire purposes. 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 



355 




VIEW OF CENTRAL FIRE STATION AND THE HAVES TRUCK. 



The fire alarm signal boxes number 24, and there are 6 localities reached by telephone, 
making in all 30 points from which alarms of fire can be sent to the Central Fire Station, 
on Sixth street, and No. 3 Engine House on College Hill. The alarm boxes and the 
different fire stations are connected by fourteen miles of wire. 

Of the 38 men in the fire department, 7 are in service at the Central Fire Station 21 
hours each day, the otlier 3 hours being allowed them to take their meals. The two 
linemen of the City Ele(?tric Light Department are members of the Fire Department, one 
of whom is required to sleep at the Central Fire Station every night. 

The College Hill Company consists of twelve call men, one engine, a ho.se carriage, 
and 1600 feet of hose. Alarms on College Hill are answered also by two companies from 
the Central Fire Station. 

The department, which is divided into four companies— three engine companies and 
one hook and ladder company — is composed of the following persons : 

Chief Engineer, J. J. Smith ; Asst. Chief Engineer, Thos. P. Ricker ; Foremen, 
Elmer Stonebach, D. T. Lerch and Joseph Laros ; Engineers, Jolin J. Bishop, Nelson 



356 



THE HISTORY OF 



Bishop and Van S. Walter ; Firemen, John Otto, William Snyder and John Steinmetz ; 
Drivers, Thomas Jones, Channcey Freeman, John Barnet and Thomas Long; Hosemen, 
Howard Naylor, John Yauch, Stewart Purdy, John Mayer, George Seibert, Edward Troxell, 
James Caflin, Fred. Troxell, George Freyberger, Erwin Frey, Clinton Thomas, Noah 
Dietrich, Clarence Miller, John Fraunfelter, Joel Dreisbach, Charles Kutzler, Jeremiah 
Keller, Charles Ricker and Missouri Kutzler; Laddermen, William Troxell, James Callahan 
and George S. Porter ; Tillerman, Edward Arnold. 

The accompanying cut represents John J. Smith, Chief of the Department. "Jack," as he is familiarly 
known, was born in the Second Ward of the city of Philadelphia, 
February 22, 1848, and is now forty years old. He has been a iireman 
actively ever since his boyhood. He resided in Philadelphia until 
he was in his twenty-third year, and served for three years previous 
to the disbandment of the volunteer force in that city with the 
Marion Hose Co. During the same years he served as a private in 
Company D, Pennsylvania Regiment. In 1871 he came to Easton 
under contract with the late George M. Reeder, and Councilman W. 
H. Hulick and others, to manage and captain the Ea.ston Base Ball 
Club, which he did successfully until 1874, when the club disbanded. 
In 1873 tie became a local reporter for the Express, in which capacity 
he served until 1884. Soon after making Easton his home he became 
identified with the Fire Department. He was Secretary of the De- 
partment under Chief Mutchler and Chief Finley, keeping the depart- 
ment records and arranging the annual reports. He joined the Humane 
Fire Company as a private, and served as trustee, secretary and foreman, 
holding the latter position when the volunteer force disbanded in 1879. 
He was also oue of the original members of the Easton Grays and 
served in the ranks for seven years. He was also prominently iden- 
tified with the old Orpheus Glee Club, the Home Dramatic Associa- 
tion, and other local societies. In 1879, by an aA of Council, the fire 
system in Easton was changed from a volunteer force of seven com- 
panies to a paid system of three engines and one hook and ladder 
company. Mr. Smith was chosen by Council as Chief Engineer with 
the force for six years, and the work of organization was placed in 
his hands. He gave the matter his closest attention, and for the first year or two we know it was hard, labo- 
rious work on his part. 

These 38 men take the place of the 298 men in the old Volunteer Fire Department. 
Those not permanently employed at the Central Fire Station, 31 in number, are known 
as call men, and are at work about town and the neighborhood during the day. When an 
alarm of fire is given they leave their employment or homes and hurry to the fire, being 
guided by the striking of the alarm bells. The residences of most of them are in close 
proximity to the company stations. In case of an alarm, the Western Union Telegraph 
office sends notice, free of charge, to the Lehigh Valley shops and Pascoe's shop, at 
South Easton, where a few call men are employed. 

To facilitate matters, gongs attached to the fire alarm circuit have been placed in the 
houses of Nelson Bishop, Tenth and Lehigh streets ; William Tro.xell, West street, near 
Washington street; at Police Headquarters; the residence of Chief Smith; the mill of 
Zearfoss & Steinmetz, and in the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company. 
When an alarm of fire is given all these gongs strike simultaneously with that at the 
Central Station. 




John J. Smith, 
Chief of the Fire Department. 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 



357 




Waiting for the Alarm. 



About 300 keys to the various fire alarm signal boxes are distributed among the 

people of the town. Each key is numbered, and this number and the name of the holder 

of the key is registered in a book kept by Chief Smith. After an alarm has been sounded 

r~\ the key is fastened by a trap-lock in the box, and can only 

>^ be released by the master-key, of which there are two, 

one being held by the chief and the other by his assistant. 
This precaution is intended to prevent false alarms. 
(3nce, however, the department was imposed upon. It 
was during the Presidential campaign of 1884. A Dem- 
ocratic parade was passing through the streets of Easton, 
when suddenly an alarm of fire was sounded from Col- 
lege Hill. The firemen, as they came dashing down the 
street, almost ran into the procession, and even as it was, 
the people deserted the parade and followed the firemen. 
But there was no fire ; it was all a big joke. Some one, 
evidently not a friend to Cleveland, had slipped a key 
out of a cigar store on College Hill and given the alarm. 
The perpetrator of the joke was never discovered. The 
fine for a false alarm, maliciously sent, is $100. 

The life of the seven men continually at the Central 
Fire Station is not as monotonous as one might suppose. 
There is considerable work in conne6lion with the depart- 
ment that has to be done. The horses must be fed and cared for; the house and apparatus must 
be kept clean ; the batteries, wires and alarm boxes need careful attention ; and, in addi- 
tion to this, the sprinkling of the streets is part of the work of the department. The 
firemen, however, lead pleasant lives. The work is divided among them, and each does 
his share. They get up in the morning at 6 o'clock, when the horses are fed ; after 
breakfast the horses, harness and apparatus is cleaned. 
In the winter season, after all the chores are done, they 
amuse themselves in various ways. On the second floor 
there is a large room devoted to pastimes; in it is a 
billiard table, several tables for games, a library, and 
easy chairs. At 10 o'clock in the evening all retire, each 
in a cosy cot, arranged side by side, giving the room the 
appearance of a hospital. Before going to bed, each fire- 
man sets his rubber boots on the floor in front of his bed, 
and pushes his pantaloons down over the boot-tops, so 
that he can jump out of his bed into his boots and dress 
very readily. When an alarm of fire is given, it is sounded 
on a large gong, and the gas is turned up at once. Then 
follows a scampering scene. The men slide down to the 
first floor on the rails running along the stairway. To 
do this neatly requires considerable practice. An amateur 
would be apt to come down head first. By the time the men have come down stains, the horses 
are at their places, ready to be hitched up, the stable doors opened at the .same instant the 




rill has Sounded. 



358 



THE HISTORY OF 




Rushing to their Places. 



gong strikes ; the combustibles in the fire-box of the engine are set on fire at the same 
time by means of a gas jet always kept burning on the floor under the engine. It is a 
remarkable fa6l that the men may all be asleep, and in less than a minute after the gong 
is sounded they may be seen going out of the engine house with the horses on a dead nm 
and a roaring fire in the engine. 

At the Central Fire Station each day is divided into four watches of six hours each 
between the carriage drivers, tillerman and engineer. Some one is always on duty, just 

as a picket in the army. The watch has complete charge 
of the house. He counts the alarm as it strikes, when 
the chief is not present, and tells the men where to 
go ; he answers all telephone calls, receives all visitors, 
maintains all the rules and regulations of the house, 
sends out the patrol wagon when there is a call for it, 
notes down all supplies received or any work done by 
the department. 

A patrol wagon, used for ambulance and police ser- 
vice, is part of the equipment of the Central Fire Sta- 
tion. Its service is often called for, in removing people 
to their homes who have become ill or injured on the 
streets, or at any of the works about the city. The 
response to the telephone calls for the patrol wagon is 
made with as much alacrity as a fire call, and the hurrying of the wagon through the streets 
answering a call is a familiar sight. The wagon is equipped with a swinging stretcher, 
a box containing plasters, bandages, scissors, vascaline, liniment, hartshorn, camphor, etc. 
The horses used in the service are large, strong, fleet-footed, intelligent animals. It 
is considerable trouble to train a horse to leave his stall and run to his position under the 
swinging harness upon receipt of an alarm. Kindness and treating him to sugar and 
apples often aids in breaking a new horse to the busi- 
ness. At first a new horse is led quietly from his stall 
to the place he is expetled to run to when broken. 

The harness is adjusted on him and he is allowed 
to stand and become acquainted with the surroundings. 
This is repeated many times. Then he is led on the 
trot to his place under the harness, and the gong tapped 
as in an alarm. If he is an apt horse he will, as the 
firemen say "tumble to the racket" before many trials, 
and will not have to be led down to his place, but will 
go down on the run. Some horses have been trained 
in an hour. The big gray carriage horse, "Frank," of Engine No. i, was taught in 
about three or four trials. He has been in two different houses in the department, and his 
run changed to diflTerent stalls, but after a couple of trials he adapts himself to the new 
order of things. The attentiveness and alacrity of the drivers and the fleetness of the 
horses has done much towards the good record won by the department in quenching fires 
in their incipiency. If the drivers are not at their posts the department will be late in 
arrivins: at a fire. 




Harnessed in less than Six Seconds, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



359 




Tile Get-there Run. 



The fire service of Easton has been gradually improved since the organization of the 
present system in 1879, and at a cost felt but little by the taxpayers. 

The fire telegraph was introduced in 1880, with only six signal stations. There are 
now twenty-four signal stations. The quick hitching swinging harness was purchased in 

1881 ; the Central Fire Station was built in 1882 ; the 
ele(ftric tower bell striker was introduced in 1882 ; the 
permanent tillernian was elected in 1883 ; the permanent 
chief in 1885 ; the steamerengineer in 1887 ; the rebuild- 
ing of No. I engine was done in 1887 ; the patrol wagon 
and extra horse were introduced in 1887 ; the portable 
handfire extinguishers in 1887, and the Hayes truck in 
1888. More improvements are promised by the station- 
ing of an apparatus at the house at Twelfth and Spruce 
streets, in the Seventh Ward, the coming year. 

One of the interesting features at the Central Fire 
Station is the daily drill at 7.30 in the evening, when 
the gong is sounded and the men and horses rush to their places. The drill is witnessed 
every evening by visitors, at times large enough to be called a crowd. It is a custom 
among many to take friends visiting them to see this drill. No one ever goes away with- 
out speaking words of praise for the efficienc\' of the service. 

THE GREAT PARADE— SEPTEMBER 14, 1887. 

The people of Easton and the thousands of visitors who lined the streets witnessed 
the most imposing pageant ever seen in our city. At an early hour in the morning decora- 
tions were completed and everything was in readiness for the reception of visiting firemen 
and other guests. From every direcftion, in cars, carriages, wagons and on foot, people 
flocked into town, and by 10 o'clock the streets were literally packed with humanity, all 
waiting patiently for the start of the parade. The fire companies from a distance arrived 
on time, some of them marching to the Sixth street engine house, while others took their 
position in line at once after partaking of refreshments. The city never presented a more 
beautiful appearance, and the handsome decorations were a surprise to all, especially the 
visitors. 

Shortly after 10 o'clock the fire wardens of Morristown, the old Volunteer Fire Depart- 
ment of Easton, and the Easton city officials and Councilmen formed on Northampton 
street, right resting on Second. 

The first division formed on Main street, Phillipsburg, right resting on Union Square. 
The second division on North Front street, the right resting on Northampton streefc The 
third division on South Front and Ferry streets, the right resting at Front and Northampton 
streets. Some delay was caused by the non-arrival of one of the bands and a hook and 
ladder truck, and it was after 11 o'clock when the procession had fairly started. The 
following then was 

THE ORDER OF P.\R.\DE. 

Chief Marshall— Joseph S. Osterstock. Assistants — Adam Shiffer, J. Whit Wood, 
John Wendling and W. R. Francisco. 



360 THE HISTORY OF 

Fire Wardens of Morristown, 48 inen. Cornet Band of the Marion Hose Company 
of Mauch Chunk. Old Humane Fire Company of Easton, 30 men. Old hand engine. 
City Officials, Select and Common Councils of Easton in carriages. 

FIRST DIVISION. 

Division Marshall — George W. Wilhelm. Assistants — Edward Kline and Thomas 
Carroll. 

Centennial Fire Company of Phillipsburg, 39 men, with Allentown Cornet Band of 
14 pieces. This company had their engine and hose carriage. Jersey Hose Company of 
Phillipsburg, 26 men and carriage, and Sacred Hearts Cadet Flute and Drum Corps of 39 
pieces under the leadership of Captain John Reilly. Reliance Fire Company of Phillips- 
burg, 30 men and carriage, and Easton Drum Corps of 8 pieces. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Marshals — Isaac Smith and George H. Derr. Fire Police of Somerville, si.K men, 
under Chief Maxwell. 

Washington Engine Company No. 3 of Elizabeth, N. J., 53 men, with engine and 
Nichols' Band, numbering 25 pieces, and Fire Commissioners Drake and Terrell and 
Alderman Hamman. Washington Engine Company No. i of New Brunswick, N. J., 44 
men, with engine. New Brunswick band of 20 pieces, and 25 guests of their city, includ- 
ing Aldermen Price, Atkinson, Kenny and Vandusen ; Postmaster Price, Recorder Housell, 
City Clerk Cook, and Freeholder Voorhees. Hook and Ladder Company of Bayonne, N. 
J., 45 men, with truck ; Van Housten Drum and Fife Corps, 20 pieces, and ex-Council- 
man Sleaman. Engine Company No. i, of Somerville, N. J., 40 men, with engine, 20 
citizens and the Seventh N. Y. Drum Corps. Central Hook and Ladder Company of 
Somerville, N. J., 36 men, with truck. Lincoln Post Drum and Fife Corps, 20 men. 
Relief Hose Company, No. 2, of Raritan, N. J., 48 men, hose carriage, and Crescent Baud 
of same place, numbering 16 pieces and finel)' uniformed. Engine Company No. i and 
Hook and Ladder Company No. i, of Flemington, N. J., 60 men ; Board of Fire Commis- 
sioners of 8 men, and the Flemington Band of 22 pieces. Good Will Foundry Boys of 
Wilson's foundry, 18 men, with drum and old hand engine. Delegation Lambertville 
Fire Department. 

THIRD DIVISION. 

Marshall — Edward West. Aids — ^John H. Rowley, Edward Schurz. Burgess and 
Council of South Easton. 

Franklin Fire Company No. i, of South Easton, 48 men, hose carriage, steamer, and 
the old hand engine Pocohontas ; Bath Cornet Band, 20 men. A delegation of the Veteran 
Firemen's Association of New York City, 20 men. J. P. Teal, aged seventy-five years, the 
oldest man in the association, served 56 years as a fireman. Hud.son Fire ^Association No. 
I, of Bayonne, 70 men, steamer, and Quakertown band, 20 pieces. Reliance Fire Company 
of Bethlehem, 33 men, and hose carriage. Diligence Hose Company No. 2, of Bethlehem, 
22 men and drum corps. Fairview Fire Company, Bethlehem, 24 men ; hose carriage 
decorated with ribbons made at the Bethlehem Silk Mill; Coopersburg Band, 21 pieces. 
Nisky Hill Hook and Ladder Company, 24 men and truck. Protection Hose Company 
of South Bethlehem, 83 men ; Bethlehem Cornet Band, 25 men ; hose carriage beautifully 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 361 

decorated, upon which a boy and girl were seated, ringing bells. Phoenix Hose Company, 
Catasauqua, 53 men and hose carriage ; five carriages of citizens, with Pioneer Cornet 
Band, of Catasauqua, 24 pieces. Rescue Hose Company of Bangor, 28 men, one hose 
carriage, with Bangor Band, 12 pieces. Phoenix Fire Company No. 2, of Stroudsburg, 
30 men, 25 citizens, consisting of Councilmen and other officers of Stroudsburg, with 
East Stroudsburg Cornet Band, 15 pieces. Good Will Fire Company, No. i, of Belvidere, 
22 men. Hose carriage. Weir Cornet Band, of Belvidere, 25 pieces. Carriage contain- 
ing Mayor and Councilmen of Belvidere. Delegation of four from Allentown Fire 
Department, consisting of chief and three assistants. City Cornet Band of Easton, 20 
pieces. Easton Fire Department — 38 men, 3 hose carriages, 2 steamers, i hook and ladder 
truck, I patrol wagon. Warwick Truck of Warwick, N. J. 

The procession moved over the following route : Up Northampton to Centre Square, 
thence to South Third street, down Third to L,ehigh, thence to Fourth street, up Fourth 
to Northampton, thence to Centre Square, thence to North Third street, up Third to 
Bushkill, thence to Fourth street, thence to Northampton, and out Northampton to 
Fourteenth and countermarch to Sixth street, where the apparatus of the visiting compa- 
nies were taken charge of by the committees and placed at the Central Fire Station. 

After depositing their apparatus at the Sixth street engine house, the parade came to 
a halt at 1.30 P. M. at the rink, where dinner was served the firemen and the citizens they 
brought with them. Twenty-five tables with a seating capacity for about 1,700 were put 
up and filled with meat, fruits, celery, bread, butter and other eatables. Between every 
two tables there was a keg of beer. As fast as the tables were filled the men began to 
eat, and by the time the last tables were occupied those who came in first had finished 
their meal and went out the back way to make room for the rest who kept pouring in the 
front entrance in a steady stream for over an hour. It is impossible at this time to estimate 
accurately the number who took dinner, but will probably not fall short of 3,000. As the 
guests passed out at the rear door they were served with cigars. All seemed to enjoy their 
dinner heartily. The animated scene, flecked with so many different colored uniforms, 
was delightful to one standing on the gallery, which was occupied mostly by ladies. 
Several bands took turns and drowned the clink and clank of knives and forks by music. 

At the close of the dinner order was restored and Mayor Chidsey delivered an address 
of welcome, speaking as follows : 

Visiting Firemen : We bid you welcome. The heart of Easton is yours to day. With each pulsation it 
beats a warm welcome. For we know that in such organizations as yours exist the noblest qualities to be found 
in man. Your purpose means self-sacrifice for others. Your motive, most praiseworthy as it is, impels to 
deeds that rival the bravest acts of history. Show me a true fireman and I will show you a true hero. . Amid 
flame and smoke, and often unrecognized by human eye, the fireman has many a time made himself a hero of 
the most exalted type. His aim is to destroy the destroyer, and to save both life and property from his ruthless 
grasp. To accomplish this he is alert, quick, daring, persistent. To accomplish it he turns away from business 
or pleasure, and whenever or wherever summoned, yields prompt and cheerful obedience. We honor him ! 
We thank him ! To him our people are ever ready to extend the hand of friendship, and to say, " We bid you 
welcome." 1886 — the last year of Easton as a borough — was made memorable to our citizens by Grand Army 
Day. The first year of Easton as a city is now made memorable by Firemen's Day. The one fittingly celebrated 
the past — for war is more than twenty years gone by. The other fittingly celebrates the present — for the foe 
you fight may attack at any moment. The fire fiend cannot be relegated to the past. He revels in surprises. 
He lies in ambush — wakeful, ready, fierce — through all time. As we appreciated the presence of the veteran 
soldiers on last year's gala-day, so we appreciate your kindly participation in this year's celebration. Both 



362 



THE HISTORY OF 




1 111. (.ORNIiK OF Nt 



1 llA.Ml' 1 M.\ 



September events will long be remembered b\- Eastoniaus, making two interesting epochs in their local history. 
It may sometimes be said, and truthfully, of the Mayor of even such a modest little city of ours, that — 

" He can and he can't. 
He will and he won't. 
He is damned if he does. 
And he is damned if he don't." 

But in the joyous festivities of to-day, let me assure you, we have no discordant elements. 
To my official adl of extending to you a formal welcome — a pleasant duty gladly undertaken — our people, 
without exception, will respond with one hearty and harmonious — Amen \ 

We are glad to see you. We thank you for coming ; and from the depths of the soul, we bid you welcome ! 

The visiting civil authorities were entertained at lunch by the Easton civil authorities, 
in Able Hall, in the afternoon. 

THE DECOR.\TIONS. 

The decorations were elaborate, exhibiting the best specimens of art and e.\quisite taste. 
Neither labor nor expense was spared to have Easton appear in her most beautiful attire. 
From the most humble dwelling, to the most stately mansions, all were gaily dressed. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 363 

From the Delaware bridge, on Northampton to Fourteenth street, stores, offices, and 
private dwellings and hotels were so beautifully trimmed as to elicit the admiration of all. 
All other streets of the city were so adorned as to give the expression of joyous welcome 
to our visiting firemen. Where all did so well, it would be unjust to speak of individuals ; 
and our space would not permit us to mention all who spared neither time, labor nor 
e.xpense to arrange the decoration fitting the occasion. There is one special feature of the 
decoration art which will be noticed. 

THE firemen'.s arch. 

The greatest success of the day in the way of decoration was the grand arch across 
Northampton street at Bank, the contribution to the occasion by the business men — 
including the three daily newspapers — between the Square and Fourth street. The almost 
entire unanimity with which the business men met their request for aid — all with but a 
few exceptions contributed — cheered the committee who had the matter in charge and 
the result was most gratifying. We have attended many celebrations, civil and military, 
in various cities, but never have we seen an arch more appropriate in design nor more 
faultless in erection. All our citizens owe a vote of thanks to the committee for their 
efforts to make the arch an honor to Easton. 

The arch spans the entire street from curb to curb. Two square piers, gray stone, 
ten feet square and eighteen feet high, on either side support a hook and ladder truck 
fifty feet long, the wheels resting on the piers, and the truck spanning the street. On 
each side of each pier in a niche for the purpose is a fire plug with a section of hose 
attached. The piers are appropriately decorated with banners, shields, etc. On the body 
of the truck, on both sides, is the legend in large letters, "Welcome — 1797 — Firemen," 
the date, 1797, being that of the organization of the first fire company in this place. 
The truck has four ladders, and underneath hang fire buckets marked " E. F. D.," axes, 
etc., the truck being fully and completely rigged. Over the centre of the truck is a 
United States shield, with a group of United States flags. The truck is supported with 
two eledlric gongs, one a vibrator and the other a tapper, which was sounded all day long. 
On the truck, on the seats of the driver and tillerman sat two firemen in the full uniform 
of the old Volunteer Fire Department. We might add though, as it is a firemen's parade, 
that the truck is painted the true fireman's color — red. The whole efifecl, with its per- 
fect elaboration of details was most satisfactory and gratifying and won on all sides strong 
expressions of praise. The arch was built by Simon P. Bachman, under the direction of 
Heller, the signist ; the electric bells being furnished by Knight, the electrician. So per- 
fect was the eSecft that the builder of the arch was negotiated with by a committee from 
Allentown with a view to its transfer to that city for its firemen's celebration the next week. 

INCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH THE PARADE. 

Chief Engineer Smith was presented with a purse by the business men of Easton, 
as a testimony of their appreciation of his valuable and faithful labors. 

The old Humane Company gave a ball at Masonic Hall, which was largely attended 
by the Easton people and visiting firemen. Barnet's orchestra furnished the music. 

In the afternoon the Fairview Hose Company of Bethlehem gave an exhibition 
drill at the Fair Grounds, and were awarded by the Directors of the Fair a silver trumpet. 



364 THE HISTORY OF 

valued at $70. The drill consisted of military movements and was highly creditable to 
the company. When the firemen called at Abie's carpet store last evening to get the 
trumpet, where it was exhibited in a window, the Coopersburg Band, which accompanied 
them, gave Mr. Able a serenade. 

Among the visiting fire companies whose appearance occasioned special comment was 
the New Brunswick Company, who came here in excellent trim and brand new uniforms. 

During the dinner at the rink. Chief Engineer Willig, of the Hoboken Fire Depart- 
ment, presented to the Easton Fire Department a sloop rigged yacht about three feet 
long, which he made himself The yacht is an unique piece of mechanism and was on 
exhibition in Freeman's window. 

Two fire companies, with their bands, the Washington of Elizabeth and the Passaic 
of Paterson, remained over night as guests of the Easton Fire Department. At 9 o'clock 
the next morning Chief Smith and a delegation of his men escorted the visitors to the college 
grounds. President Kno.x, of Lafayette, met them at the entrance of Pardee Hall, where 
he made an address of welcome and complimented the Easton firemen for the efficient 
services they had twice rendered Pardee Hall. After a happy response by Alderman Pol- 
litt, of Paterson, Dr. Knox escorted the visitors through the buildings and grounds. The 
party, headed by their music, then returned to the Sixth street engine house, where 
refreshments were served. Later in the forenoon, in the presence of the visitors and 
numerous other strangers. Chief Smith gave an exhibition drill with his men and horses, 
The two companies attended the fair in the afternoon and left for home at 6 o'clock. 

The Hoboken company made an elegant turnout with their eighty-nine men and the 
Sixty-ninth Regiment Band of New York City. 

No feature of the parade was more interesting than the delegation of twenty men 
from the Veteran Firemen's Association of New York City, all of whom have grown old 
in the service. 

Central Hook and Ladder Company of Somerville, N. J., presented a fine appearance, 
and their marching was complimented all along the route. They were accompanied by 
Lincoln Post Fife and Drum Corps of Newark, N. J., one of best organizations in the State. 

There were in line eight drum corps, twenty-two bands, and not far from 2,300 men, 
as shown by the reports of the companies. Three companies and two delegations had 
no music. 

C. P. Diehl, the barber on South Third street, presented a silver-plated helmet to the 
Phoenix Fire Company of Stroudsburg, which was a merited compliment, as the men did 
fine marching, and with their brand new suits and black helmet hats covered with yellow 
chains and trappings, made an appearance second to none in the parade. The boys were 
accompanied by a number of prominent citizens, among them Judge Brodhead and 
ex-Sheriff March, Joseph Bowers and Robert Grnver. 

The Easton firemen were surprised by a visit from a party who came to present them 
on behalf of a number of unknown Easton ladies with a handsome silk banner. The 
presentation speech was made by Councilman Brunner. 

WELCOME TO THE NEW TRUCK. 

The new Hayes extension ladder truck, built for the Easton Fire Department by the 
La France Fire Engine Company of Elmira, New York, arrived here Thursday, July 19, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 365 

1888. The firemen showed their appreciation of so valuable an addition to their appa- 
ratus b)' turning out and giving the truck a royal welcome. 

At 7 o'clock in the evening the firemen, headed by the City Cornet Band of Easton, 
and the Junior Drum Corps of Phillipsburg, and followed by all the apparatus of the 
department, started from the Central Fire Station on their way to fetch the Hayes truck 
home. The procession moved down Northampton street to the Square, and thence down 
Third street to Washington street, where the truck was in waiting, it having been pre- 
viously unloaded at the Lehigh Valley depot and brought across the bridge. The truck 
was drawn by four gray horses and was decorated with bouquets of flowers. The engines 
and hose carriages were also adorned with flowers. 

After the parade had countermarched at Third and Washington streets, the truck was 
given the place of honor, and the line returned up the street to the Square. The side- 
walks were full of people who were all delighted with the fine display. In the Square a 
halt was made, when the firemen and apparatus, notably the truck, were inspected by the 
Fire Committee of Councils. A great, surging mass of people, had by this time gathered 
in the Square. 

At the instance of the Fire Committee Mayor Chidsey made a congratulatory speech 
to the firemen and the citizens. Among other good things, he told the firemen he was 
glad that they succeeded in getting their truck here without being annoyed by an injunc- 
tion. The audience appreciated the witty reference to the unpleasantness between the 
Third street people and the Lafayette Tra6lion Company, and applauded vociferously. 

From the Square the parade returned to the Central Fire Station, followed by many 
people, who lingered long examining the truck. Later in the evening a cold collation 
was served by the department to the mayor, city officials, councilmen, the band and drum 
corps, and invited guests, among whom were many firemen from South Easton and Phil- 
lipsburg. The feast was spread in the shed and yard in the rear of the engine house, all 
being pleasantly illuminated with Chinese lanterns. This was one of the happy events 
of the evening. The committee who got up the lunch comprised Firemen Elmer Stone- 
bach, John Yauch, James Caflin, Oliver Frauufelter, Joel Laros, Irwin Frey, James Calla- 
han and George Porter. 

THE HAVES TRUCK. 

The truck is quite a ponderous and attractive apparatus. The timber of which the 
ladders and frames are built comes from the Pacific coast and is known as "Oregon pine." 
The timber is light and strong, elastic as whalebone and contains no pitch. The iron 
work is heavy, and much of it is nickel plated. The wheels, which are very heavy, are 
painted in maroon, ornamented with gold. The body of the truck is painted in China 
white with gold striping and scroll work. The ladders are in natural wood, oiled and 
striped. The truck is supplied with an extension ladder, which when raised is at the 
highest point 65 feet from the ground. The first raise of the ladder, known as the aerial 
ladder, is 40 feet high ; it will sustain the weight of several men at the top when raised 
to a perpendicular. Among the other appliances belonging to the truck are eight other 
ladders, respectively 28, 26, 24, 20, 18, 16, 14 and 12 feet in length, pike poles, crotch 
poles, axes, crowbars, picks, patent door openers. New York hose hoist, fire extinguishers, 
leather buckets, lanterns, signal lamps, pitch forks, shovels, brooms, tool boxes and the 
like. The cost of the truck is $2,775. Its weight is 6000 pounds. 



MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 




''ASTON was originally a part of Forks township. On September 23, 1789, 
an A61 of Assembly was passed eredling the Borough. The first secflion 
relates to its advantageous situation at the conflux of the Delaware and 
Lehigh rivers ; of the great improvements and increase in the number of 
buildings and inhabitants, and that the courts of the county are held in 
the town, as reasons for incorporation. 

Se6lion second ena6ls that the said town shall be eredled into a Bor- 
ough, to be called "The Borough of Easton" forever, with the following 
boundaries : Beginning at the black oak on the west bank of the river 
Delaware, being a corner of land of Andrew Kroup, running thence west 
five hundred and sixty-three perches to a post in the line of George Mes- 
singer's land; thence by the line of land late of Barnet Walter and others, south four 
hundred and fifty-three perches to a birch on the northwest bank of the Lehigh river; 
and thence down the same river by the several courses thereof; and thence up the river 
Delaware by the several courses thereof, crossing the mouth of the Bushkill creek to the 
place of beginning. 

Secflion third named the officers of the incorporation : Peter Kachlein, Henry Barnet, 
Jacob Weygand, William Raup, and John Protsman, to be Burgesses ; Peter Kachlein, 
to be Chief Burgess ; F'rederick Barthold, High Constable, and Samuel Sitgreaves, Town 
Clerk, to continue in office until the first Monday of May, 1790, and imtil others shall be 
elected in their place. 

Se6lion fourth enabled that the said Burgesses, freeholders, and inhabitants within 
the Borough aforesaid, and their successors forever thereafter, shall be one body corporate 
and politic, by the name of "The Burgesses and inhabitants of the Borough of Easton, 
in the County of Northampton," and by this name shall have a perpetual succession ; to 
buy and sell, sue and be sued, defend and be defended, in any of the courts of the 
Commonwealth. 

Section fifth prescribed the right of suffrage and manner of holding elections for officers. 
Se<ftion sixth defined the duties of the officers. 

Sedlion eighth provided for a market at the "Great Square," on Wednesday and Sat- 
urday of every week in the year forever. Two fairs were also established, one on the 
fourth Tuesday in April, and the other on the fourth Tuesday in October of each year to 
continue two days. There was a clerk of the market who had "the assize of the bread, 
wine, beer, wood and hay, and all other provisions brought for the use of the inhabi- 
tants." These fairs were features of the social life of fatherland, and the great events of 
the year at the "Forks." 

The above extra(5ls give the principle features of the act of incorporation by which 
Easton became a borough. There were important amendments to the original act, some 
of which we will notice. 

An amending act was passed March 19, 1828. The original act provided for five 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 367 

Burgesses to be elected by the people, the one having the largest number of votes to be 
the Chief, and if neither had the majority it was to be decided by lot. In the acl of 1828 
the five Burgesses gave place to a Town Council of nine persons eledled by the people, 
and the Council elecled a citizen for Chief Burgess for one year. In 1850 an acl was 
passed authorizing the Borough to borrow money, limiting the amount to $30,000. The 
aCl of March 8, 1854, ordained that "All that part of Easton west of the middle of Juliana 
street and south of the Bushkill creek, be erected into a separate ward, which shall be 
called Westward." It was direcfted March 8, 1856, that each ward should elecft three mem- 
bers of Town Council, dividing themselves by lot into three classes, who should serve one, 
two and three years, respe<ftively, and who should ele(?t a citizen for Chief Burgess for one 
year at a salary of one hundred dollars. 

Seiftion third provided that each ward should elect three School Direcftors, who 
should divide themselves by lot into three classes in each ward, to serve one, two, and 
three years, respecflively, and one should be elected annually thereafter ; the said Bor- 
ough to compose one School District, with liberty to appoint a Borough Superintendent 
of schools at a salary of five hundred dollars per annum, who shall report to the County 
Superintendent annually. This is the beginning of the School Board of Easton, which 
has since framed a school system of unsurpassed excellence. A supplementary acT; passed 
May 14, 1861, empowered the Town Council and School Directors in joint session to 
appoint a Borough Treasurer and Colledlor. An acl passed March 22, 1866, declared, 
that Easton shall continue to form one Common School District; for all purposes of educa- 
tion, this distri(5l to be known as the "School Distri6l of the Borough of Easton ;" and 
that the School Directors should constitute a Board of Control, as a body corporate and 
politic, with all the authority conferred on the School Directtors of the First School Dis- 
tricl;, in the city of Philadelphia, as far as the same can be applied to the School District 
of the Borough of Easton. Section third provided that hereafter the School District 
should not be subject to the authority of the County Superintendent. 

Se<5lion sixth authorized the Board of Control to maintain a Central High School for 
the full education of such pupils as possess the requisite qualifications, on the same gen- 
eral principles as govern the First District of the city of Philadelphia. 

Section seventh placed the library under the care of the Board of Control. 

The aCt of April 2, 1869, authorized the Borough to borrow money for projected 
improvements, the amount not to exceed $50,000, and another act passed April 6, 1870, 
repealed the act of 1869, and authorized the Borough to borrow $100,000 for specified pur- 
poses. The a{?t of February 23, 1871, authorized the Board of Control to borrow $100,000 
for the purchase of ground and school buildings. An act was passed March 27, 1873, 
dividing the Borough into seven wards as follows : 

First Ward. — All that portion of said Borough lying south of the middle of Xorth- 
amption street, between the Delaware river and Fourth street, and east of the middle of 
Fourth street from Northampton street to the Lehigh river. 

Second Ward. — All that portion of said Borough lying north of the middle of North- 
ampton street, between the Delaware river and Third street, east of the middle of Third 
street, and south of the Bushkill creek. 

Third Ward. — All that portion of the said Borough lying northeast of the Bushkill creek. 



368 THE HISTORY OF 

This ward has since been somewhat enlarged by adding a portion of Forks township. 

Fourth JTard. — All that portion lying north of Northampton street from Third street 
to Sixth street, west of the middle of Third street, east of the middle of Sixth street, and 
south of the Bushkill creek. 

Fi/Z/i Jl'ard. — All that portion h'ing south of the middle of Northampton street, 
between Fourth street and Sixth street, west of the middle of Fourth street, and east of 
the middle of Sixth street. 

Sixt/i IVard. — All that portion lying west of the middle of Sixth street, and east of 
the middle of Ninth street, and extending from the Bushkill creek to the Lehigh river. 

ScvoitJi Ward. — All that portion lying west of the middle of Ninth street, and 
extending from Ninth street to the western limits of the Borough, and from the Bushkill 
creek to the Lehigh river. 

Sedlion second of this a6l empowers the .several wards to ele<5l three members of 
Town Council and three members of the School Board each, thus giving twenty-one 
members to each body. 

An a(?t was passed March 6th, 1873, authorizing the Borough to borrow $25,000 in addi- 
tion to the amount the Borough had been authorized to borrow. The a6l of April 10, 1873, 
authorized the Borough to borrow two thousand dollars in addition to the sums already 
borrowed. 

The a6l of April 20, 1874, passed to regulate the manner of increasing the indebted- 
ness of municipalities, provided that whenever the debt of any county, city or borough, 
etc., shall be equal to seven per centum upon the assessed value of the taxable property, 
as fixed by the last preceding assessed valuation therein, all such increase shall be void 
and of no binding force. 

After the Borough had existed nearly one hundred years a change into a city govern- 
ment was desired. 

At a meeting of Town Council, August 27, 1886, a resolution, offered by Messrs. 
Odenwelder and Magee, submitting the question of a City Charter to the vote of the 
people, was carried unanimously. 

At the general ele6lion, held November 2, 1886, the majority of the votes cast, on 
the question submitted for decision, was in favor of a City Charter ; and in accordance 
with this vote the City of Easton was incorporated January 12, 1887, by letters patent 
issued by Robert E. Pattison, the Governor of Pennsylvania. On February 15, 1887, the 
first ele(5lion under the new charter was held ; the officers then chosen entered upon the 
discharge of their duties, and the machinery of the city government began to move. 

The city began her career with a population of about 13,000, within corporate limits, 
and as many more just outside, separated merely by forms of government. According to 
annual statement we had on January i, 1887, 4,115 taxable inhabitants ; a valuation of 
ta.xable property amounting to $8,138,719; borough property worth $74,806; cash in 
treasury and delinquent taxes $11,366.47, making our total assets 1^86,172.47 ; and a total 
funded debt of $173,000. Our credit is good, and our bonds bearing four per cent, 
interest command a handsome premium in the open market. 

The Common Councilmen, of the City of Easton, having assembled in the new 
Council Chamber, an organization was effe6led by the eledlion of a temporary president 
and clerk. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



369 



COMMON COUNCIL. 

April 4, 1887. On motion of Messrs. Magee and Osterstock, Owen Hagenbuch was 
eledled temporary president, and Herbert T. Buckley temporary clerk. Having taken 
their seats, Mr. Wood moved that the Rev. H. M. Kieffer be requested to open the proceed- 
ings with prayer. 

Rev. Kieffer read the 144th Psalm and offered a prayer in which he invoked the 
blessings of God on the new municipal government, on the members of Council and on 
the chief executive of the city. 

CHARLES FRANCIS CHIDSEY. 
Charles Francis Chidsey, who on April 
4, 1887, took the oath of office as the first 
Mayor of the City of Easton, has lived there 
the greater portion of his life-time, having 
been born on South Second street, Easton, on 
Christmas day, 1843. He is the third son of 
Russell Smith Chidsey, of Connecticut, and 
Eliza VVoodin, of New York. During his 
early boyhood days he attended the private 
schools of Easton. In 1S55 he entered the 
Easton High School, which was then still in 
its infancy, and graduated in 1859. Imme- 
diately after his graduation he entered Lafa- 
yette College, where he remained until the 
end of the Junior year, when he went to the 
war, enlisting as a private, August, 1862, in 
Company D, One Hundred and Twenty- 
ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
to serve for nine months. The regiment 
was at once incorporated in the Army of the 
Potomac, and participated in the battles of 
Second Bull Run, Antietam, Kearneysville, 
Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. Hav- 
ing served his term of enlistment he was 
honorably mustered out of service with his 
regiment at Harrisburg in 1S63. In the same 
year, during the excitement caused by the 
invasion of the State by the Confederate 
Army, he re-enlisted for three months in de- 
fense of Pennsylvania, and was elected First 
Lieutenant of Company C, Thirty-eighth 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, remain- 
ing in service until the regiment was dis- 
charged. Upon his return from the second 
enlistment he again entered Lafayette Col- 
lege, from which he graduated in 1864, re- 
ceiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts ; and 
at the permanent organization of the class 

he was elected president, .\fter leaving Lafayette he took a complete course at Lowell's Commercial College, 
Binghamton, New York, and then entered the Financial Office of the Chicago and North Western Railway Company, 
in New York City. In 1867 he began a short course of law study in the office of John B. Linn, Esq., at Lew- 
isburg, Pennsylvania; and in this year Lafayette College conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. 
In January, i86g, he entered the office of the Warren Foundry and Machine Company of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, as 
assistant secretary, in which position he remained three years and nine months. He has served seven years as auditor 
of the same company. On the 7th day of July, 1869, he was married to Miss Kate A. Williams, of Little Falls. Herki- 
mer County, New York, and he has now two daughters and three sons. In 1871 he was elected a director of the War- 
ren Foundry and Machine Company. In 1874 Mr. Chidsey engaged in the plumbing, steam and gas-fitting business 




Chari.es F. Chidsey, 
First Mavor of the Citv of Easton. 



370 



THE HISTORY OF 



ill conneaion with Mr. Jacob Vannormau, and in this year the firm was eleaed borough gas fitters by the Town Council 
of Easton. In 1874 he was eleccted a member of the Easton Board of Control of Public Schools from the Second Ward. 
He served for three years and at the e.\piration of his term was re-eleaed in 1877. In March, 1876, Mr. Chidsey was 
eleaed by a unanimous vote President of the Board of Control, and in 1877, by a like unanimity he was re-eleaed to 
the same position. In 18S1 he was appointed by the Court an Inspeaor of the Northampton County Prison, and was 
five times reappointed, retiring in 18S7. He was Secretary of the Board during his whole service as Inspeaor. In 
1883 he was elected to Town Council from the Second Ward, to serve for three years, and in 1886 he was re-eleaed. 
In 1884 he received by acclamation the Republican 
nomination for Congress from the Tenth Pennsyl- 
vania Distria, which was Democratic by about eight 
thousand majority. Mr. Chidsey condufted a very 
spirited campaign ag.ainst his opponent, the Hon. 
William H. Sowden, and, although unsuccessful, 
made the handsome gain of 2000 votes in the Dislricf. 
In 1886 he was the Senatorial Delegate from this County 
to the Republican Slate Convention. While there he 
placed in nomination for Congress at large, his friend, 
the present Attorney General of Pennsylvania, Hon. 
Wm. S. Kirkpatrick. His nominating speech was 
pronounced by the Philadelphia Press " one of the 
brightest and best," and by the Philadelphia Ttmfs 
"the gem of that Convention." He received the Re- 
publican nomination for Mayor without opposition, and 
although Easton at the time was Democratic, he was 
eleaed its first Mayor, February 15, 1887, by a majority 
of 233 votes. In politics Mr. Chidsey has always been 
a Republican of liberal tendencies. In religion he is a 
Presbyterian, being a member and also a Trustee of 
the First Church of Easton. He has always been aaive 
in religious affairs. While a member of the American 
Reformed Church — now the Second Presbyterian — sit- 
uated on Spring Garden street, he was one of the dea- 
cons, and one of the building committee which ereaed 
their present beautiful edifice. In 1878 he was Presi 
dent of the Young Men's Christian Association. The 
same year he was chosen President of the Lehigh and 
Eastern Railroad — a projected line to run from Port 
Jervis, N. Y., to Tomhickon, Pa. Mr. C. never joined 
any of the numerous secret societies of Easton except- 
ing the Grand Army of the Republic. In this he takes 
a lively interest. In 1873 he purchased a part of the 
garden belonging to Judge H. D. Ma.\well, on the cor- 
ner of Green and Bushkill streets, and on it erected the 
large and comfortable house in which he now resides. 

The roll was then called showing that the following members were pre.sent, namely : 

Firsi ll/ard—] ose\oh S. Osterstock, John Brunner, H. W. Cooley, Horace Magee. 

Second lVard—\M. E. Buckman, J. Whit. Wood, D. W. Nevin, M. J. Riegel. 

Third JF^/v/— William Brinker, Edward Dietrich, William H. Ward. 

Fourth 7/ (?;•(/— John N. Linden, Christian Franklin, W. R. Francisco, Samuel Moses. 

Fifth JFard— Owen Hagenbuch, Reuben Hellick, Benjamin M. Kline, John Manning. 

Sixth JVard—Manon A. Pentz, Leopold Steckel, George B. Strickland, Geo. H. Derr. 

Seventh ITard^ohn Wendling, Abraham Unangst, A. E. Thornton, Wm. Lear. 

Council then proceeded to the election of a permanent president. 

Mr. Wood nominated D. W. Nevin, of the Second Ward. 

Mr. Derr nominated W. R. Francisco, of the Fourth Ward. 

Messrs. Brunner, Buckman, Cooley, Francisco, Hagenbuch, Hellick, Kline, Lear, 




D.WIIi w. XEVIN, 
First President of Common Council. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



371 



Magee, Osterstock, Pentz, Riegel, Strickland, Uiiangst, Wendling, Wood (16) voted for D. 
W. Nevin. Messrs. Brinker, Derr, Dietrich, Franklin, Linden, Manning, Moses, Steckel, 
Thornton, Ward and Nevin (11) voted for W. R. Francisco. 

D. W. Nevin was declared elected President of Common Conncil. 

On motion of Mr. Brunner, a committee was appointed toconducl the president to the 
chair. 

The President />;7? tnn. appointed Messrs. Brnnner, Francisco and Riegel, who at once 
escorted D. W. Nevin to the chair, where the oath of office was administered by President 
pro toil. Hagenbuch. The newly elected president then assumed control of Council, and 
made a few remarks in which be alluded to the fact that he was the second voungest member 
of Council and that under the circumstan- 
ces he felt the responsibilities of the office 
to which he had been called, but he cher- 
ished the hope that the responsibility 
would be made lighter by the aid and co- 
operation of the members of Council. He 
said the first official acft he was called 
upon to perform was the administration 
of the oath of office to the members of 
Council. The members then subscribed 
their names to the oath and Council was 
declared duly organized and prepared to 
proceed to business. Mr. Wood offered 
a set of rules for the regulation and gov- 
ernment of the proceedings of Common 
Council. They were substantially those 
used in the Borough Council with such 
changes as the law governing cities made 
necessary. 

SELECT COUNCIL. 
Select Council met the same morning, 
April 4th, 1887, in the third story of the 
municipal building in Centre Square. 

On motion of Mr. John P. Ricker, I. A. 
Smith was chosen temporary chairman ; 
Mr. Smith took the chair. 

Mayor-elecT: Charles F. Chidse}- then 
came into the chamber with the Rev. Kieffer, of the Third street Reformed Church, whom 
he introduced to the members. Mr. Kieffer read the 144th Psalm and invoked the Divine 
blessing. 

Chairman Smith then stated that the nomination for Secretary /;7? /cw. was next in 
order. 

On motion, George Shiffer was ele<fted. 

The credentials of the members were then presented. 




George J. Heck, 
First President of Select Council. 



372 THE HISTORY OF 

A call of the roll showed that the following were present : 
First Ward — George J. Heck. 
Second Ward — D. A. Tinsman. 
Third Ward — Thomas Burley. 
Fourth Ward^dhn P. Ricker. 
Fifth Ward—KAam Shiffer. 
Sixth Ward — Isaac A. Smith. 
Seventh Ward — William Hauck. 

The Chairman stated that he was ready to receive nominations for permanent president. 
Mr. Ricker nominated Mr. Smith. 
Mr. Tinsman nominated Mr. Heck. 
The vote being taken, showed the following : 
For Mr. Heck — Messrs. Hauck, Shiffer and Tinsman (3). 
For Mr. Smith — Messrs. Burley, Ricker and Smith (3). 
Mr. Heck voted for Mr. Tinsman (i). 

There being no choice, Council proceeded to a second ballot, which resulted as follows : 
For Mr. Heck — Messrs. Heck, Hauck, Shiffer and Tinsman (4). 
For Mr. Smith — Messrs. Burley and Ricker (2). 
Mr. Smith voted for Mr. Tinsman. 

Mr. Heck having received a majority vote was ele6led president for the ensuing year. 
Mr. Smith then administered the oath of office to Mr. Heck, who in turn administered 
it to the other members. 

JOINT MEETING OF SELECT .AND COMMON COUNCILS. 

The joint Convention was organized by the eledlion of D. W. Nevin as Chairman pro 
tf»/., and Herbert T. Buckley, Secretary. 

Councilman Wood then offered a set of rules for the government of joint conventions 
of Councils which were adopted as read. In accordance therewith George Heck, Presi- 
dent of Selecfl Council, assumed the Chairmanship of the joint Convention. The hour 
having arrived for the inauguration of city officers, on motion of Councilman Wood the 
Convention adjourned to meet after the inauguration exercises. 

Mayor-ele<?t Cliidsey then took a position before the asseiubled members of Selecfl and 
Common Council and said : 

"Gentlemen: Standing on the threshold of my administration, I think it proper 
that the first step be taken with prayer to Almighty God." He then called on the Rev. 
Dr. Edsall Ferrier to lead in prayer. After prayer the oath of office was administered by 
Justice Reuben Kolb. Mayor Chidsey then delivered his inaugural address. 

The transition to a city government was made without friction. It was feared that 
expenses would be increased, but by very skilful management the reverse has resulted. 
Early in his administration the Mayor recommended mercantile city licenses, graded in 
kind and in amount of business done. The income from this source brings about $4500 
into the treasury annually. Nearly an entirely new set of ordinances was required by the 
change in the government. The police force has been remodeled. There are now eleven 
policemen — a chief, lieutenant, sergeant and patrolmen, distributed by districts instead of 



EASrON, PENN'A. 



ill 



wards, with a regular system of night and day patrol. There is far less crime and rowdy- 
ism ; centres of questionable resort are watched ; tramps are halted and sent out of the 
city or to jail ; the choice is soon made, and tlie order of march begins. During the 
new administration there has not been one complaint against the force for intemperance. 
The efficiency of the police, fire, and electric light departments is ver\- much enhanced by 
the Mayor's non-partisan appointments. 
For the first time in the history of the mu- 
nicipal government fitness for the position 
and not politics governs appointment to 
office. 

During Mayor Chidsey's administra- 
tion an incident occurred which may or 
may not be an annoyance to the city in 
the future. A lot of ground eighty feet 
in length and breadth, in the centre of 
the Public Square, had been given in the 
year 1764 to Northampton County for a 
court house by the sons of William Penn. 
After the erecftion of the present court 
house, and the abandonment of the old 
site for more than twenty-five years, it was 
claimed by the heirs of the donor. On 
July 28, 1888, C. B. Taylor, Esq., of Phil- 
adelphia, attorney for the Penn heirs, came 
to Easton, entered the circle and took for- 
mal possession of the land. The Mayor 
very politely placing his hand on the 
attorney's shoulder, ejedled him therefrom. 
An a(ftion has been brought in the United 
States Distritl Court to recover the pro- 
perty. 

This first administration has been em- 
inently successful, and the new form of government has already become very popular. 

EASTON'S FIR.ST OFFICERS UNDER .\ CITY CH.^RTER. 

Elected by the people February 15th, 1887, and inaugurated April 4th of the same 
year : 

Mayor — Charles Francis Chidsey. 

Controller — Henry Adams Rothrock. 

Treasurer — ^James McCauley. 
Elected by City Councils : 

Solicitor — Aaron Goldsmith. 

City C7<?r/&— Herbert T. Buckley. 

City Engineer and Commissioner of Higlncays — J. Alarshall Young. 

Assistant Commissioner of Highways — Noah Dietrich. 




Aaron" Goldsmith, 
First Solicitor for the City of Easton. 



374 



THE HISTORY OF 



Appointed by Mayor Chidsey : 

Superintendent of Electric Light Department — Howard Rinek. 
Chief of Police— VLemy C. Tilton. 
Lieutenant and City Detective — ^James Simons. 
Sergeant — Edward Kelly. 

Patrolmen — First Distridl, Thomas Stoneback ; Second Distridl, James Tomer ; 
Third Distri6t, Samuel Paul; Fourth Distri(5l, Andrew Bitzer ; Fifth Districft, Jeremiah 
Weaver ; Sixth District, Robert M. Price — who resigned during his term and was suc- 
ceeded by William Denninger ; Seventh District, Isaac Leauber. Reserve — Charles S. Reed. 
Doorman at Central Police Station — ^James vSpruell (colored). 
The term of service for the Mayor and all of the officers mentioned above is two years. 
The Mayor also appointed the following Board of Health, whose terms vary from 
one to five years, viz : Dr. Charles I. Roseberry, President ; Dr. Joseph S. Hunt, Charles 
L. Hemingway, Dr. John J. Serfass and John W. H. Kuerr. The Chief of Police was 
chosen Health Officer and tlie City Clerk the Secretary of the Board. 

During a few months of the city's life Robert H. Lerch served as Superintendent of the 
Ele<5tric Light Department ; and the old Board of Health served till September ist, 1887. 
Besides the policemen mentioned, who constituted the regular uniformed force, the 
Mayor appointed John Beam policeman and lamplighter for Dock street, and twenty 
special policemen. The number of the latter was fixed by ordinance, and the men received 
the bulk of their pay from private persons who employed them as watchmen. 

REDIVISION OF THE BOROUGH INTO WARDS. 

By a decree of the Court of Quarter Sessions, June 25, i88r, the Borough of Easton 
was redivided into seven wards, as follows : 

First. All that portion of said borough lying south of the middle of Northampton 
street, between the Delaware river and Fourth street, and east of the middle of Fourth 
street, from Northampton street to the Lehigh river, shall constitute the First ward. 

Second. All that portion of said borough lying north of the middle of Northampton 
street, between the Delaware and Fourth street, east of the middle of Fourth and south of 
the Bushkill creek, shall constitute the Second ward. 

Third. All that portion of said borough lying north of the Bushkill creek. 

Fourth. All that portion of said borough lying north of the middle of Northampton 
•Street, between Fourth and Sixth streets, and lying north of the middle of Walnut and 
Pine streets, between Sixth street and Tenth street, east of the middle of Tenth street and 
south of the Bushkill creek, shall constitute the Fourth ward. 

Fipth. All that portion of said borough lying south of the middle of Northamj^ton 
street, between Fourth street and Sixth street, west of the middle of Fourth street and 
east of the middle of Sixth street, shall constitute the Fifth ward. 

Sixth. All that portion of said borough lying south of the middle of Walnut and Pine 
streets, between Sixth street and Tenth street, west of the middle of vSixth street and east 
of the middle of Tenth street, shall constitute the Sixth ward. 

Seventh. All that portion of said borough lying west of the middle of Tenth street 
and extending from said Tenth street to the western limits of said borough, and from the 
Bushkill creek to the Lehigh river, shall constitute the Seventh ward. 



THE BANKS OF EASTON. 




HE NAME BANK comes from banco, signifying bench, which was eredled 
in the market place for the convenience of changing money. The first 
bank established was in 808, by the Lombard Jews, of whom some settled 
in Lombard street, London, where many bankers still reside. The first 
bank of England was established in 1694, and the first United States Bank 
was established in 1791, under the influence and by the keen foresight of 
Alexander Hamilton, who was styled the Moses of American Finance, 
who, by the stroke of his rod, brought the stream of prosperity from the 
rock of public credit for the infant republic. This bank had a capital of 
$10,000,000, and could not supply a circulating medium for the financial 
necessities of individual states. And to supply this growing need the 
Pennsylvania Bank was established in 1793 by A61 of the Legislature of the Common- 
wealth (Dallas Laws, Vol. 3, page 323). The capital stock of this bank was limited to 
$3,000,000. It is stated in the preamble of the a6t that the bank was established so as to 
afford adequate security for an upright and prudent administration of its affairs, and to pro- 
mote the regular, permanent and successful operation of the finances of the state. 

Se6lion fifteenth of this a6l authorized this bank to establish branches at Lancaster, 
York or Reading, or wherever they should think proper in the State, for the purpose of 
discount and deposit only. But no branch should be established in any community with- 
out the consent of such town or borough. As early as about 1800 a branch of this bank 
was established in Easton. It was located in the building on the southeast corner of the 
Square and Third street (now Adams Express Office), in a building built by Jacob Arndt 
in 1790. The building was stone, and is still standing, among the oldest houses in Easton. 
The brick part of the house was ere(5led at a later period, but the bank was always located 
in the old stone strudlure. The first cashier of this bank was Mordica Churchman, a 
Quaker from Philadelphia. This bank had a regular board of trustees, but no president. 
It was one of four branches, and was the most profitable of the four. It did the business 
of a very large area, and was very successful in its financial operations. In 1827, Philip 
Mattes was appointed cashier, Joseph Horn was teller and John Heckman was book-keeper. 
This was the first financial institution in Easton. It continued in operation till 1845, 
when the business was closed up, and the books removed to Philadelphia. The facts 
concerning this bank were received from Mr. Henry Mattes, a son of one the officers of 
the institution. 

The war of 1812 had seriously taxed the energies and crippled the prosperity of the 
country. And in no State was this more seriously felt than in the widely scattered popu- 
lation of Pennsylvania. The bank already in Easton was only one of discount and 
deposit, and could not issue its own paper, and so did not supply the public demand. In 
the pamphlet laws of 1813 and 1814, page 154, we find an A(ft passed by the Legislature, 



EASTON, PENN'A. 



ill 



dividing the State into twenty-seven distridls, in each of which there might be one or 
three banks as necessity might demand. Northampton county and a part of Wayne con- 
stituted one district, in which one bank was to be established in Easton and called the 
"Easton Bank." There was also to be an office of discount and deposit in Milford under 
the control of the Easton Bank. The acSl was vetoed by Governor Snyder, but imme- 
diately passed over the veto by both houses on the twenty-first of March, 1814. The 
Commissioners appointed by this act to carry out its provisions were Christian Bixler, W. 
Latimore, Conrad Krider, James Holingshead, Matthias Gress, James Clyde, John Davi- 
son, Abraham Levan, Abraham Horn, George Beidleman, of Easton, and George Butz, of 
the County of Northampton ; John Coolbaugh, John Brodhead, Daniel Dimick, of the 
County of Wayne. The duty of the Commissioners was to organize the bank. They 
were to open the books, receive the subscription, the shares being fifty dollars each. The 

Easton Bank was to have eight thousand shares, a capital 
of $400,000 ; the Milford branch was to have six hundred 
shares. The stockholders were to ele6l thirteen direc- 
tors, one of whom should be chosen for president. The 
Commissioners called a meeting of the stockholders 
according to the acft. The Hon. Samuel Sitgreaves hav- 
ing been eledled one of the directors was chosen the first 
president of the Easton Bank in 1814. Mr. Sitgreaves 
had been in public life for many years, a leading mem- 
ber of Congress during a part of Washington's and 
Adams' administrations, a member of a Commission sit- 
ting in Philadelphia to adjust disputed points in Jay's 
Treaty, and a special JMinister to the Court of St. James 
to complete the unfinished business of the Philadelphia 
Commission. His name was a tower of strength to the 
bank, which took a high stand in public esteem, and has 
F\sT N wTi s\i 1 ^NK cvcr bccn lookcd upou 35 onc of tlic most succcssful fiuau- 

cial institutions in the State. Mr. Sitgreaves died April 
4, 1S27, and was succeeded by Col. Thomas McKeen, who was one of the most prominent 
citizens of Easton. He was of Scotch blood, born in the north of Ireland, June 27, 1763, 
and came to this country when a youth. In 1814, when the Easton Bank was organ- 
ized, he became cashier, and occupied the position till the death of Mr. Sitgeaves, in 1827, 
when he was ele(iled president of the institution, and remained in the position till 1851. 
At 88 years of age he declined a re-eledlion. He was succeeded by Hon. David D. Wage- 
ner as president, on May 4, 1852, who retained the position till his death, Ocftober i, i860. 
IMr. John Davis succeeded Mr. Wagener and performed the duties of his position accepta- 
ble to all concerned and died in 1873. He was succeeded by Mr. William Hackett, who 
still remains at his post. He was born in 1812 ; is the son of James Hackett. He was 
cashier twenty-two years before he was ele(5ted to the office of president. His son Wil- 
liam is now cashier, and his grandson, William H. is one of the clerks. The personnel 
of the bank are — Jacob H. Holt, teller ; Daniel L. Bi.xler and Frank A. Sletor, book- 
keepers ; Charles M. Butz and Harry Bixler, discount clerks; William H. Hackett and 
Henry G. Siegfried, clerks ; George Bebler, janitor. 




37^ 



THE HISTORY OF 



Directors — Michael Butz, Jeremiah Anglemeyer, Daniel Black, Jacob Fraley, Wil- 
liam Hackett, James W. Long, Henry B. Semple, William A. Seitz, Joseph S. Roden- 
bough, John Knecht, Edward I. Hunt, Cyrus Lawall, James V. Bull. 

The Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank was organized August 12, 1 851, at the American 
Hotel, by the ele<?tion of the following Board of Dire6lors : P. S. Michler, Richard Brod- 
head, John Drake, John Green, D. S. Miller, William Beitel, E. B. Mixsell, Russel Chid- 
sey, David Connor, A. W. Radley, Peter Gross, Abraham Miller, C. C. Field, Frederick 
Seitz, vS. R. Hoagland, S. R. Rodenbough, John Knecht, H. S. Troxell. The bank began 
operations in the rooms in the residence of F. C. Mattes. At an adjourned meeting of 
the Board of Diredlors, August 16, P. S. Michler was elecfled president. The board 
adjourned to August 18, when, having met, McEvers Fornian was elected cashier. P. 
S. Michler served in the capacity of president till 1861, and on May 22 offered his resigna- 




Vir:w IN Centre Sijl'are, Easton, about 1855, showing Court House, Able's Rope Store, Farmers' 
AND Mechanics' Bank, Stillwei.l's Printing Office, and Frey's .Marble Yard. 



tion to take effeCl on the following July i. It was accepted, and John Stewart was elected 
his successor. At a meeting of the board, held August 19, 1865, it was resolved to 
apply to the Comptroller of the Currency for the conversion of the Bank into a National 
Banking Association, to be known as "The First National Bank of Easton." The appli- 
cation was granted, and the name of the bank was changed according to the request. 
Of this bank Mr. John Stewart remained president till December 29, 1875, when he 
resigned. He was leader in many enterprises, particularly in building the rolling and 
wire mill in South Easton. He died, April 13, 1885. Mr. McEvers Forman was elecfted 
to fill the position left vacant by the resignation of John Stewart. At the same time 
John F. Gwinner was elected cashier to fill the vacancy occasioned by the election of 
McEvers Forman to the presidency. President McEvers Forman died January 11, 1885, 
and on Tuesday, January 13, at the annual meeting of the directors, Edward F. Stewart 
was elected a direcftor, and at a meeting of the board, January 21, 1885, Mr. Stewart 
was eledled president of the First National Bank. The personnel of the bank is as 
follows: President, Edward F. vStewart ; Cashier, John F. Gwinner; Teller, A. A. Ham- 



EAST ON, PENN'A. 379 

man ; Book-keepers, Chester Snyder, E. B. Arndt, H. S. Kennedy ; Discount Clerk, 
Thomas M. Riegel ; Clerks, John D. Transue, Loyd R. Wilson. 

Directors — E. F. Stewart, B. F. Riegel, Henry Fulmer, Jacob Walter, A. R. Dunn, 
Edward HilHard, Samuel Drake, John T. Knight, Eli M. Fox, William G. Stewart, Wil- 
liam H. Hulick, Daniel W. Snyder, William Keller. 

Under an a(?t of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, approved April 8, 1851, 
the Northampton County National Bank was established in i86g as a savings bank. 
Col. William H. Hutter was instrumental in originating the institution. Judge Joseph 
Laubach was its first president, and Col. Hutter became cashier. Judge Laubach, Hon. 
Henry Green, Philip F. Stier, Enos Werkheiser, B. E. Lehman, Joseph Sigman and 
John A. Innes, were the first diredlors. When Jay Cooke failed in 1873 the financial 
affairs of the country became very much disturbed, and all the banks of this class began 
to lose public confidence. The pressure of the depositors became so great that all these 
banks in Northampton and Lehigh counties were compelled to close up their affairs, 
except this one. In 1878 they were authorized to organize under the national banking 
system, and became "The Northampton County National Bank." Judge Laubach resigned 
the presidency and Cyrus Lawall was elected to the position. In the fall of 1885, both Mr. 
Lawall and Col. Hutter resigned their positions, and were succeeded by Thomas T. Miller 
and Elijah J. Richards, as president and cashier. The Savings Bank began to do business 
in what is now a part of T. T. Miller's hardware store. In 1873 they erecfted the building 
they now occupy. The bank is in a highly prosperous condition, and the last named offi- 
cers still retain their places. The following is the personnel of the Northampton County 
National Bank: President, Thomas T. Miller; Cashier, E. J. Richards; Teller, A. W. 
Herman ; Clerks, John Neumeyer, W. Fred. Keller. 

Directors — ^John Richards, J. H. Wilhelm, H. C. Barnet, John J. Unangst, Wil- 
liam Laubach, Enos Werkheiser, Philip F. Fulmer, Philip F. Stier, Xavier Veile, Thos. 
T. Miller, H. J. Boyer, Jonathan Moore, George Hohl. 

The condition of the Easton Banks, October 4, 1888 (quarterly statement). 

RESOURCES. 

Firsl Easton Northampton Co. 

National Bank. National Bank. National Bank. 

Loans and discounts 51,072,867.65 $1,217,678.92 $328,070.27 

U. S. bonds to secure circulation 100.000.00 50,000.00 84,000.00 

Due to other banks 74,361.44 107,201.07 51,538.46 

Real estate, furniture and fixtures 27,591.23 32,990-33 17,000.00 

Cash 73,192.62 109,365.06 46,169.76 

Current expenses and ta.xes paid 5,458.12 6,873.57 1,506.90 

Premiums paid 3,000.00 11,000.00 

Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer 4,500.00 2,250.00 3,780.00 

Overdrafts 2,211.61 i,54i-43 2,624.18 

Totals . $1,363,182.67 51,527.9^0-38 8545,689.57 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital stock paid in $ 400,000.00 $ 500,000.00 $134,000.00 

Surplus fund 80,000.00 100,000.00 15,000 00 

Undivided profits ... 61,108.66 116,838.14 9,787.43 

National bank notes outstanding 89,100.00 45,000.00 75,600.00 

Dividends unpaid 2,321.60 2,486.75 402.30 

Individual deposits subjetl to check .... 749,143-75 7i9,5'4-90 306.508-39 

Due to other national banks 14,854.50 95,333-51 4,392-45 

Due to state banks and bankers Si. 83 4,627.08 

Totals $1,396,610.34 $1,583,800.38 $545,690-57 



COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM. 




HE NEXT important educational movement, succeeding the organization 
of Lafayette College, was the establishment, in 1834, of a system of ednca- 
cation by common school. 

The attitude of the State, in the matter of popular education, was 
assumed mainly through the influence of Governor George Wolf, the warm 
friend and potent advocate of universal education. Governor Wolf was a 
native of Northampton county, and a resident of Easton at the time of his 
elevation to the office of chief magistrate of the Commonwealth. 

In the "Memoirs of the Governors of Pennsylvania," by W. C. Armor, 
it is said, "the most substantial and enduring merit of Governor Wolf 
was evinced in his advocacy of a system of popular education. James 
Buchanan, in a speech delivered previous to the ele6lion of the Governor, had said : ' If 
ever the passion of envy could be excused, a man ambitious for true glory, he might 
almost be justified in envying the fame of that favored individual, whoever he may be, 
whom Providence intends to make the instrument in establishing common schools through- 
out this Commonwealth. His task will be arduous. He will have many difficulties to 
encounter, and many prejudices to overcome ; but his fame will exceed even that of the 
great Clinton, in the same proportion that mind is superior to matter. Whilst the one 
has ere<?ted a frail memorial, which, like everything human, must decay and perish, the 
other will raise a monument which shall flourish in immortal youth, and endure whilst 
the human soul .shall continue to exist. Ages unborn, and nations yet behind, shall bless 
his memory.' To George Wolf, that honor was accorded, and to him in all time to come," 
can the citizens of Easton point with special pride, "when the inquirer shall seek to 
know by whose voice and sturdy will that great boon was championed and finally won." 

The citizens of Easton participated largely in the agitation induced by the adoption 
of the common school law, and were not slow in accepting and enforcing its provisions. 

The first board of school direftors elecfled under the statute organized September 25, 
1834, and consisted of the following persons: Rev. John P. Hecht, president; Samuel 
Kinsey, secretary ; Rev. B. C. Wolff, Enock Clark, Michael Odenwelder, George Hess, Esq. 
The number of children in the borough of proper school age, at the time, was esti- 
mated at nine hundred, for whose instru(5lion, it was proposed to employ twenty teachers, 
and to procure as many school-rooms for their accommodation. 

As the school funds, raised direcl;ly under the general provisions of the adl of Assem- 
bly, was inadequate to the demands of the district, and as an additional sum was author- 
ized to be raised, when a majority of the people of any district consented to a special tax- 
levy for the purpose, the citizens of the borough met, agreeably to the requirements of 
the law, November 15, 1834, and resolved, that an additional tax of $1500 for school 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 381 

expenditures, be assessed and collecfled within the borough of Easton, for the current 
year, besides the sum to be collected with the county rates and levies. 

The necessary funds having been provided, the board advertised in the newspapers 
of the town for proposals from teachers of approved qualifications, to take charge of the 
schools, stating the number of pupils they would be willing to receive, and the terms on 
which they would teach each child per month. The following were the rates of tuition 
agreed upon : 

"Teachers of reading, writing, and arithmetic, beyond reduction, were to receive 
sixty cents per month for each pupil." 

"Teachers of reading, writing, and arithmetic, up to the rule of three, were to receive 
forty-seven and a half cents per month for each pupil." 

"Teachers of alphabet, spelling, reading, and writing, or au)' one of these branches, 
were to be paid thirty-seven and a half cents per month for each pupil." 

In consequence of the board's inability to secure sufficient school-room accommoda- 
tions, arrangements were made for the admission of public school children into several of 
the private schools of the town, their tuition having been paid from the funds of the dis- 
trict, and in accordance with the rates established by the board. 

On the 1st day of January, 1835, the public schools of Easton were first opened, and 
were placed under the care of the following teachers : Joseph P. Deringer, Henry Hem- 
sing, Paul Higgins, Jacob Slemmer, P. G. Sherman, Gertrude Kemper, Rosauna Bidle- 
man, Julianna Moebus, Mary Freeman, Mary B. Harrison, M. McGaugey, Louisa Tin- 
dall, Harriet Sill, M. A. Rogers, Louisa Hecht, Sophia Hecht, Eliza Failing, Leonora 
Burnsides, B. Burnsides, A. L. Osterstock, Elizabeth Murray. 

The following teachers of private schools received pupils from the district schools on 
special terms : Rev. John Vanderveer, Josiah Davis, Misses Lorrain, Mrs. Prior, Mrs. M. 
A. Ralston. 

The inauguration of the system of common schools in Easton was attended with 
much opposition. This was more actively displayed, when the question as to the addi- 
tional school funds to be raised was submitted and voted upon in the annual town meet- 
ing. At the annual meeting, in 1835, the excitement became so intense, and the pro- 
ceedings so turbulent, as to render the definite disposal of any proposed measure impossi- 
ble. At the suggestion of the chairman, James M. Porter, Esq., the decision of the 
question as to the tax-levy was deferred for one week, when the same should be decided 
by ballot. By a determined effort, the friends of the public schools succeeded in obtain- 
ing a majority of votes in favor of an additional ta.x of $3000. This vigorous demonstra- 
tion, in behalf of popular education, had the effedl to disarm, if it did not entirely subdue 
the antagonism arrayed against the common schools. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM 1834 TO 1854. 

The period covering the first twenty years of common school history, so far as the 
same relates to the borough of Easton, is not marked by anything special in the way of 
scholastic results. The condition of the schools, during this period, may be noted as 
follows : 

Firsts as to. School AccoiiiDiodatioiis. — During this period, no portion of the public 
school fund was expended in the erection of school-houses. The only building originally 



382 THE HISTORY OF 

designed for general school use, and that was available for the purposes of the board, was 
the old Union Academy. 

The charter of the trustees of the academy having become vitiated, by reason of their 
negle<?t; in maintaining an organization, the real estate in their possession was vested, by 
an a6l of Assembly, passed April 14, 1835, in the corporation of the borough of Easton, 
and, by a subsequent a6l of Assembly, passed April 10, 1848, the same was vested in the 
school directors of the borough of Easton. 

The other school-rooms in use, during the first five years, were such only as could be 
obtained in private residences. These were ill-adapted to school purposes in size, ventila- 
tion, and surroundings. The latter were superseded, in time, by rooms secured in the 
basements of the several churches of the town. In 1848-49, the two frame buildings, 
eredled on the academy grounds, by the "Easton Fencibles" and "National Guards," for 
purposes of military drill, were purchased by the Board of Direcftors, and converted into 
school-iK)onis. 

The school furniture was in accord with the rooms in which it was located ; was of 
ancient pattern, and exceedingly uncomfortable, if not positively injurious. As to appa- 
ratus, there was none worth mentioning. 

Second^ as to the Teachers. — The number of different teachers employed by the School 
Board, during the period under consideration, was about one hundred and sixty, and of 
this number fifty were males. Of these there were but few, comparatively, who had 
entered upon the work of teaching with the view of making it a permanent business. 
The successive corps of teachers consisted chiefly of such as sought employment in the 
schools, merely to eke out a livelihood, until an opportunity was afforded for a more 
genial and lucrative engagement. There were some, however, whose continuous service 
in the distri6l gave proof of the board's confidence, and the appreciation of the public. 
The examination of teachers was conducted by the Board of Directors, or some one deputed 
for the purpose ; was exceedingly formal, and superficial, that but few, if any, of the 
applicants were ever convi6led of incompetency. The teachers were employed generally 
on the grounds of favoritism, or on the principle of alms-giving, rather than that of 
qualification. 

Third, as to the School Term. — The average annual school term, for the period named, 
did not probably exceed six months. During the first few years, the time of opening the 
schools each year, as well as their continuance, was a matter of contingency, dependent 
on the amoTint of school funds at the command of the board. As soon as the revenue of 
the distri(5l could be determined with some degree of certainty, the beginning and dura- 
tion of the annual term was definitely fixed, the term having been gradually extended, as 
the resources of the board increased. 

Fourth, as to the School JVork. — Nothing beyond instruclion in the simple rudiments 
of the ordinary English branches was attempted, prior to the year 1850. The advanced 
educational work of the town was done by private schools, which were largely patronized. 
In 1849, fifteen years after the public schools were instituted, there were but seven hun- 
dred and seventy-five pupils enrolled in the district schools, and these consisted princi- 
pally of very young children, and those of more advanced age, whose parents were unable 
to bear the expense of private tuition. A majority of those elected to the office of school 
director, gave their patronage, and, as a consequence, their sympathy to private schools. 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 383 

Their legislation, therefore, in behalf of the public schools, though stridlly conforming 
to the requirements of the law, had not the incentives, which direcfl personal interest 
would be likely to beget for elevating the common schools to the highest possible standard 
of excellence. 

The schools were annually set in motion, and allowed to run at random. There was 
no adjustment of machinery, nor harmony in the management or effort, that seemed 
to indicate in the least that anything definite, by way of result, was aimed at or de- 
sired. There was no coherence in the several schools of the distridl. Each school was 
organized, taught, and governed independently of the others. There was no graduation 
of schools, nor adjustment of classes ; no established curriculum, and no uniformity of 
text-books. 

The methods of instru<5lion were left to the option of the teachers, and evinced great 
disparity of aim and process. The course pursued by many of the teachers was the result 
of accident, rather than the work of design. In general, the instruction of the schools 
was condu6led on no settled principle, and the methods pursued were destitute of many 
of the traits essential to an intelligent and well-devised plan. 

This condition of the schools remained undisturbed until the year 1850, when active 
measures were instituted, with the view of elevating the common schools to a position of 
usefulness and respetlability. The schools were partially reorganized and classified, so as 
to approximate somewhat a graded system. The course of study was reconstructed, and 
provisions made for instruction in the higher branches of learning. In furtherance of the 
proposed plan, the organization of a high school was projected, and authority for its estab- 
lishment in the distri(fl was obtained, through an a(5t of the Legislature, passed April 
2, 1850. 

The reform, thus set in motion, was due mainly to the influence of the late Hon. 
Washington McCartney. No man in this community has been more closely identified 
with the public schools of this borough, and no one has left a more distin<5t impress of 
himself and his work. At the very start of the system, he became its earnest, eloquent, 
and efficient advocate ; and, by the suff'rages of his fellow-citizens, having been appointed 
to the position of school director, he labored assiduously, intelligently, and successfully, 
in laying a good and strong foundation, upon which there has been erecled a beautiful and 
durable struCture. 

Scholarly as he was, and impelled, by his tastes and professional duties, to husband 
his time for private and individual engagements and aims, he, nevertheless, gave himself 
up to unusual exactions of labor and sacrifice, in behalf of the educational interests of the 
town. In this respect, he was an exception to the majority of educators conneCted with 
colleges and higher institutions of learning. They are willing to approve, and suggest, 
and patronize, but seldom do they co-operate by definite action. He subordinated all his 
acquisitions, and his love of study, to the purpose of improving the facilities for a more 
general education of the whole people. 

It is to be hoped that his name will ever remain fragrant in the memory of the 
patrons, teachers, and pupils of our schools ; and, that whatever improvement may have 
been made by the wisdom and labor of other men, and whatever of future excellence may 
still be reached in the future, it may never be forgotten, that Washington McCartney was 



384 THE HISTORY OF 

the impelling power, whose influence will be seen and felt by all who are acquainted with 
the history and growth of our public schools. 

The results of the first year's experience in school reform were gratifying to the 
friends of popular education. The spirit exhibited in the internal progress of the schools, 
was alike visible in the improvement and adornment of buildings and grounds. The 
academy building was thoroughly renovated, and the school-rooms supplied with furni- 
ture, which, though not the most convenient, was, nevertheless, a decided improvement 
on that which had been displaced. 

The ladies of the town assumed the responsibility of beautifying the grounds sur- 
rounding the academy. In 1851, they held a fair with a view of securing funds for the 
undertaking, and succeeded in securing a liberal sum, which they applied to the improv- 
ing and ornamenting, with terraces and shade trees, the hill on which the academy is 
located. The present beautiful and picfturesque surroundings of the old and time-honored 
academy, stand as a perpetual memorial of the industry, taste, and zeal of those by whose 
voluntary effort the school grounds of the Second Ward are rendered so pleasing and 
attra6live. 

In 1853, the condition of the public schools, though susceptible of radical amend- 
ment, was far in advance of anything hitherto attempted or attained in the Easton districft. 
Notwithstanding their improvement and increased facilities for educational work, they 
failed to secure either sympathy or encouragement from very many of the prominent and 
influential citizens of the town. This was owing partly to prejudice, and partly to the 
fa(?t, that private schools furnished a more thorough and elevated course of instrudlion, 
than the limited provisions of the public schools would admit. 

At this time, there was a number of efficient and well sustained private schools in 
the place. Of these, the most prominent were the classical schools, designed exclusively 
for the education of boys and young men, taught respedlively by Dr. Vanderveer (who 
was succeeded in 1854 by the Rev. Thomas Apple), Messrs. Wood and Mr. Renteneck, 
and the young ladies' school, on the corner of Third and Spring Garden streets, of which 
Mr. Cann was principal. 

THE FEMALE SEMINARY. 

The Female Seminary was established in 1841, under a charter of incorporation, granted 
by the Legislature in 1838. The original corporators of this institution were the Rev. 
John Gray, D. D., Jacob Wagener, Dr. Joseph K. Swift, John Stewart, Rev. John P. 
Hecht, Peter S. Michler, and Rev. B. C. Wolf In 1839 the Hon. James M. Porter became 
a member of the board of trustees, and officiated as secretary of the same during the entire 
period of the seminary's existence. He was the most a(5live and efficient member of the 
board, and gave valuable aid in establishing and furthering the designs of the institution. 

The seminary was conducted in the basement of the Episcopal Church, until the year 
1845, when the school was transferred to the building ere(5led by the trustees, on the lot 
in the southwest corner of the academy grounds. The lot, on which the building was 
located, was granted by an a6l of the corporation of the borough of Easton, dated August 
31, 1841. By this a6l, the trustees were authorized to use and occupy the said lot, and to 
ere6l thereon a building to be used as a female seminary ; and, were to continue in the 
enjoyment of their right to the same, so long as the said building and grounds should be 
engaged in the interest of a female seminary. 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 385 

The average number of pupils in annual attendance at the seminary did not exceed 
sixty-five. The successive principals who had charge of this institution were Robert 
Phipps, Theron H. Hawks, David Moore, x\mandus Barker, C. F. Thurston, and E. 
Dean Dow. 

Mr. Dow, having established the Opheleton Seminary, in a building eredled for the 
purpose, on South Sixth street, transferred thither the pupils of the "Female Seminar)-," 
and vacated the premises on Second steeet. The building erecled by the trustees, having 
fallen into disuse as a female seminary, and, in consequence thereof, the claims of the 
trustees to the property having been invalidated, the school directors, in 1853, took posses- 
sion of the building and lot, and applied the same to the use of the public schools. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM 1854 TO 1877. 

The school system pursued at present in the borough of Easton, was adopted and 
went into operation in September, 1854. The }-ear immediately preceding its adoption 
was noted for the clamor and opposition excited in the town against the then existing 
school management. The vacillating policy pursued in the general administration of the 
schools disclosed the fa(5l that the system was guided by caprice, rather than by settled 
principle. The legitimate work of the school-room was frequently set aside, to give place 
to preparations for mere entertainment or public display. These and similar expedients 
were employed as palliatives of public discontent, and as such were made minister to 
official interest, and eclat, rather than to the good of the schools. But the administra- 
tion of the schools having been publicly ventilated, the people became cognizant of their 
true condition, and applied the proper remedy. 

The schools opened in the fall of 1853, under very unfavorable auspices. There was 
a want of harmony in the elements composing the school board. Its counsels were fre- 
quently distracted by discord. The members, being equally and rigidly divided on the 
question of school management, failed to agree on any fixed policy, and, as a consequence, 
the order and classification of the schools were seriously deranged. In the absence of any 
provisions made by the board for their adjustment, the schools were committed to the care 
and disposal of the superintendent. 

On the 25th of January, 1854, the Superintendent, in his report of the schools, sug- 
gested a plan for a High School, and the systematic arrangement of the subordinate 
schools, together with a complete and comprehensive course of study adjusted to, and in 
fulfillment of, the proposed scheme. 

The plan was submitted and unanimously adopted, and the Superintendent was 
directed to mature arrangements for its introduclion at the opening of the next school 
term in September. In pursuance of the board's instructions, the schools were thor- 
oughly examined, and each pupil was furnished with a certificate, indicating his standing 
and the grade of school to which he should be admitted at the opening of the next term. 
This was the first and only complete examination, to which the schools of the district had 
been subjected, since the organization of the common schools. 

The board also authorized the publication of a catalogue, or rather prospectus, of the 
High School, in order that the public might be apprised, not only of the design of this 
institution, but of the scope and intent of the proposed new school system. The cata- 
logue was issued in June, 1854, and a copy furnished to each family in the district. 



386 THE HISTORY OF 

The catalogue recited the following particulars, which are here given in brief: 

1. The Board of School Directors. — Benjamin F. Arndt, president ; Hon. Washington 
McCartney, secretary ; Aaron Seip, treasurer; John J. Horn, Henry M. Mutchler, Esq., 
Henry Keller. 

2. Tlie Act of Assembly^ for the Erection of a Higit School, in the Borough of Easton, 
passed April 2, iSjo. — " Se6lion 4. That the School Direcftors of the distri6l, composed 
of the borough of Easton, be, and hereby are authorized to establish, under such regula- 
tions as they may deem advisable, one High School, in said district, for the complete 
education of such pupils of the public schools of said distric?t, as may possess the requisite 
qualifications, and the moneys expended in the establishment and support of said High 
School, shall be paid out of the treasury of the common school fund of said district. " 

3. The Instructors. — William W. Cottingham, superintendent, ex-officio principal ; 
William Mutchler, assistant. 

4. Terms 0/ Admission. — Candidates were required to be twelve years of age; to 
have passed at least six months in one of the public schools of Easton, and to show, on 
e.xamination, that they are able to read, write, and spell corre6lly, and that they possess a 
competent knowledge of grammar, geography, and arithmetic. No candidate was to be 
admitted to the examinations without having previously presented a certificate, signed by 
a teacher and one of the dire(?tors of the public schools, stating the age of the applicant 
and the length of time spent in the district schools. 

The examinations were to be conducted by the instrudlors of the High School, and 
a committee of the Board of Dire(?tors, etc., etc. Qualification was the only passport to 
be demanded, so that the youth in moderate or indigent circumstances, had guaranteed to 
him the same privileges and opportunities that were afforded to those of a better pecu- 
niary condition. 

5. Course of Instruction. — The curriculum covered a four years' course of study, and 
was complete in its provisions for all the requirements of a practical education, as well as 
for a thorough preparation for college. 

6. The List of Pupils. — There were twenty-six pupils in attendance at the school. 
These were not regularly classed as High School students, but were admitted only as 
members in course of preparation for High School standing. 

7. Examinations. — All the classes were to be thoroughly examined at the close of 
each term, in the presence of the instrucflors, the Board of Diredlors, and such citizens as may 
choose to attend. Public notice of the time and place of the examination was to be given. 

As the regular course of the High School was not to commence until the first Mon- 
day of September, following, an examination of candidates to form the first, or initial, 
class of the High School, was diredted to be held June 30, 1854. 

8. Terms and J'acations. — The High School year was to be divided into two terms of 
five months each — the first term extending from September i to February i, and the second 
term from March i to August i — the months intervening between the terms being set 
apart as vacations. 

9. Public Exercises. — It was designed to have a public exhibition of the class that 
completed the four years' course. This was to occur at the close of the second term. On 
this occasion, the graduating class was expelled to read essays, or deliver orations, of their 
own composition. 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 



387 



10. Government. — It was intended that the government of this school should be con- 
du(5led on the principle of parental influence, and that pupils should be diligently instructed 
to govern themselves. Appeals to the sense of right, of honor, of manly conduci, and, 
generally, to the motives nearest of kin to those that ought to regulate the maturer life of 
the student, were to be the prominent agency of school discipline. 

11. Address to the Public. — Written by Edward F. Stewart, Esq., a member of the 
School Board, and appended to the catalogue. 

The design of this school, is, doubtless, familiar to the public. Its anticipated estab- 
lishment has led to an interchange of opinion, as to its practicability, and has elicited 




EASTOX SCENERY — CIRCLE AND FOUNTAIN. SUMMER VIEW, 18SS. 



information in reference to the operation of similar institutions elsewhere. It is not our 
purpose to discuss elaborately any of the questions growing out of this enterprise. High 
schools have a liistory to which we refer all doubters as to their utility. We shall, there- 
fore, assume that all who have examined, with any minuteness, the field of educational 
labor within our borough, admit the propriety of the project, and shall briefly set forth its 
design and the scope of its operations, expecting that such an exposition of its advantages 
will secure for it the public favor and patronage that its merits demand. 

This school is to be the converging point of all the previous instru6lion in the other 
public schools. Without it, the public school system would be incomplete, not affording 



388 THE HISTORY OF 

all tlie advantages of a thorouo;li education. It is the purpose of the directors to combine 
in this school all the facilities for acquiring a complete education ; such a training as will 
qualify the pupils for any of the trades, or ordinary industrial occupations of life, and such 
a discipline as will prepare for the prosecution of professional studies. Hitherto, private 
schools have been looked to, exclusively, for instrndlion in the higher branches of an edu- 
cation. Our common schools have seldom aspired to teach other than the primary or ele- 
mentary branches. Now, however, since the system has been more fully developed, and 
its defects obviated, it can be successfully applied to a wider sphere of educational labor. 
And we know of no field so inviting as that of our own borough. Here a most admirable 
opportunity is afforded for the experiment, additional to trials made elsewhere, of its 
enlarged efficiency and usefulness. We have a large number of pupils who are, year by 
year, advancing in their attainments, as they pass from one to another of the ascending 
series of schools. With the preparatory teaching already given, a sufficiently large ele- 
ment is in readiness as a nucleus for a High School. 

An examination of the studies, systematized progressively in reference to the advance- 
ment of the pupil, will convince any one of its substantial advantages. This school will 
afford all the inducements for parents that our most deserving private institutions can 
offer. Why should it not? There is nothing inherently superficial in the public school 
system. That it has not hitherto been adapted to all the educational needs of all classes 
of society, was not because of intrinsic inefficiency, but rather because there was no 
demand for wider and higher culture. It has been taken for granted, that an education, 
designed to extend beyond the rudiments, must be acquired in private establishments. 
Hence, our public schools, in some places, have degenerated into infant nurseries, where 
amusement, rather than instru(5lion, was to be imparted. 

It has been considered one of the neces.sary results of our social system, that the pos- 
session or want of wealth must distribute the children of a community into separate 
schools. Thus a healthful moral influence has been checked, and hence our public schools 
have been shorn of their legitimate power by this social ban. The educated and influen- 
tial portion of the community have felt no personal interest in the welfare of these schools. 
Their sympathies attach themselves to private schools, where their children are educated. 
But indifference has not been the worst evil. The injury has not only been negative. 
Positive hostility has, not unfrequently, been stimulated by the tax-gatherer, and thus the 
efficiency of these schools, even for the poorer classes, has been crippled. The cry of 
oppressive taxation has always measurably deterred our school direcftors from making that 
liberal provision, which an ignorant and straitened portion of our population demanded. 

But a new era has dawned on this great public interest. Education, however 
important as a personal concern, has wider relations. It is the great problem presented 
to communities of men. On its solution depends their weal or woe. All the social, civil, 
and religious interests of States and nations are included in the question. The people are 
now beginning to look at the subjedl in a proper light. One of the most auspicious "signs 
of the times," is the awakening attention given to the necessity of a wider diffusion of 
thorough education. All classes of society are beginning to feel, that it is their privilege 
and duty to enjoy a wider educational horizon. The common mind is becoming inquisi- 
tive. The struggles of the age are leading men into an examination of the foundation of 
rights and duties. The domains of science, philosophy, and polite literature hitherto pro- 



EASTO.\\ PENN'A. 389 

hibited territory to the industrial classes, now invite the children of toil to their elevating 
pleasures and ample rewards. Labor and science have joined hands. The school-house 
has become the college. The children of the day laborer are now stimulated by competi- 
tion with the rich man's sons, and may look forward to attainments, the result of patient 
study, equal in value and extent to the acquisitions of the most favored sons of wealth. 
This is republicanism practicalized. It is equality applied to one of the vital interests of 
the State. It is the true philosophy of progress. It is the only process by which the 
ignorant and indigent can be brought into the necessary conditions of equality. While it 
leavens the masses, it condemns, as chimerical and wicked, those schemes that would 
bring down all gentility, intelligence, and social refinement to the dead level of an agrarian 
barbarism. 

The citizens of our borough have an interest in the establishment of this school. It 
is a local enterprise, with legitimate claims. Here are afforded all the advantages of a 
complete education. Nothing that has been considered disciplinary by the most compe- 
tent iustru6lors, has been omitted in its course of study. The aim, in arranging the course, 
has been not so much to impart information, as to develop the mental powers, and to ex- 
cite a love of study. These two objetls once gained, the pupil is prepared, after having 
completed the entire course of the institution, to give specific direclon of his mind to a 
pursuit for life. It is hoped by the directors, that as the projecl: is a public interest, so it 
will elicit popular favor. It cannot succeed, unless ac?tive support is afforded. While 
moral contagion is a proper subje(?t for parental solicitude yet it is thought, that the dan- 
ger from this source has been greatly exaggerated. Under the control of a watchful dis- 
cipline, the intermingling of the extreme elements of society, may be made a powerful 
agent of social regeneration. Let our citizens lay to heart these considerations, and let 
our tax payers now embrace the opportunity of receiving an ample equivalent for their 
school tithes. 

IN.A.UGURATION OF THE PRESENT SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

On the first Monday in September, 1854, the new school system was regularly and suc- 
cessfully inaugurated, which marks the beginning of a career that has rendered the schools 
of Easton illustrious, and makes them a fair exponent of the possible excellence attainable 
by a system of common schools. 

The prominent fa6ls, descriptive of the present system, may be noted as follows : 

I. THE DISTRIBUTION .\XD GRADATION OF SCHOOLS. 

The borough of Easton constitutes but one school district:, divided into three school 
sedlions. The municipal division of the town into three wards, immediately after the 
adoption of the system, stimulated efforts in the direction of ward enterprise, which man- 
ifested itself in the location and erection of school houses, to suit the wants and convenience, 
of the respecftive wards. The educational work was thus distributed, and gave rise to the 
present division of the district into three school sedlions. Each sedlion has its comple- 
ment of schools, corresponding in grade, classification, and work. These sections though 
independent of each other, sustain a common relation to the high school, as the converg- 
ing point of all instruction furnished by the subordinate schools. The gradation and clas- 
sification of the schools are adjusted, so as to enable the pupil to advance, by a succession 
of easy and progressive steps, from the primary to the high school. 



390 



THE HISTORY OF 



THE HIGH SCHOOL. 

The present High School originated with the school system, that went into operation 
in September, 1854. The question, as to the establishment of an institution of the kind 
in this districl, was first agitated in 1850, when the act of Assembly, already referred to, 
was passed, authorizing its ere(5lion. The Board of Diretftors, however, took no action in 
the matter until April, 1852, when Washington McCartney and Charles Innes were con- 
stituted a committee, to report a plan for the organization of a High School. This com- 
mittee, however, did not report until February, 1853, when a plan was submitted and 
adopted, but, for some reason, the same was not put in operation. In March, 1853, the 
school directors took possession of the female seminary building, and resolved to establish 
therein a High School. In the following month, the school was organized, but in con- 
formity with no specific plan, and consisted of twenty-si.x pupils, who, having been drafted 
indiscriminately from the other schools, were classified according to age or size, rather 
than scholastic attainments. 

This school, though possessing none of the characteristics of a High School, never- 
theless continued its existence as such, nominally, for a period of one year. The pupils 
had not the training necessary for their entrance upon an advanced course of study, hence 
the entire year was devoted to their preparation for High School standing. At the close of 
the year, seventeen of the pupils, having sustained a satisfacftory examination, were admitted 
to the High School, and formed the first class of the school under its present organization. 

The first Freshman Class of the High School, of which Mr. R. L. D. Potter was the 
teacher, was composed of the following students : Herman Alsover, Jabez Alsover, Charles 
Bishop, Henry H. McNeal, Joseph S. Osterstock, Solon C. Phillippe, Henry H. Oberly, 
John F. Reichard, John Patton, Thomas Rinek, Philip Schlough, Joseph G. Semple, 
John A. Shawde, William H. Sigman, Albert N. Seip, Albert Senseman, David H. Young. 

This institution grew in popularity as its advantages became known. It afforded 
facilities for educational training, equal, if not superior, to those furnished by the best 
condu(?ted private institutions. The discovery of this fa(5l had the effedl to diminish the 
patronage of private schools, to such an extent, that many of them were discontinued for 
want of support. 

The male department of the High School having been firmly established, the neces- 
sary steps were taken for the organization of a female department of the same school. 
This was accomplished, and the female department went into operation, in February, 
1857, with a class consisting of twenty-nine young ladies, under the tutorage of Mr. Seth 
I. Tharp. These departments were independent of each other in government and instruc- 
tion. Though the same building was used by both departments, the sexes were separated, 
and, respecftively, occupied distincft apartments, for study and recitation. 

Pupils are admitted to this school on a special examination, the supply being fur- 
nished by a requisition on the first grades of the grammar schools. Pupils, residing with- 
out the boundaries of the distrift, who possess the requisite qualification, have access to 
this school, upon the payment of a tuition fee. 

The present academic year of this school is divided into two terms, of five months 
each, with no intermission between the terms. All the classes undergo an examination 
at the close of each term. The promotion of pupils is made at the annual examination, 
which occurs at the close of the second term. 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 391 

The annual High School commencement takes place immediately at the close of the 
school year. The exercises consist of orations, by the gentlemen, and essays, by the 
ladies, of the graduating class. On this occasion, each of the graduates is presented with 
a diploma, as a testimonial of approved scholastic merit. In 1857, the graduating class 
consisted of but two members ; now the classes have grown so large, as to necessitate the 
restriclion of the number of graduating performers to a mere representation from each 
department. 

A matter of no little importance, is the friendly and sympathetic attitude of Lafayette 
College. This institution has generously joined hands with the Common School. In it 
she recognizes a power, for the more perfe6l development of which she magnanimously 
proffers her influence. Her Board of Trustees, in 1868, unanimously appropriated four 
permanent scholarships for the use of the High School, with the design, that the benefit 
of each scholarship should be presented, as a reward of merit, to the male graduate who 
maintains the highest average grade of scholarship. The arrangements are such as to 
secure the presentation of one scholarship each year, thus affording the pupil, as an incen- 
tive to application, a full and complete college course of education, free of expense. The 
formal presentation of the scholarship certificate is made a part of the commencement 
exercises, and adds much to the interest of the occasion. 

The High School is the great motive power of our school machiner)-. Its influence 
permeates the entire school system, extending even down to the very lowest grade of the 
primary department. In point of efficiency, this school has been elevated to a standard 
that places it at the threshold of the college. The system of teaching reveals nothing of 
an artificial nature. There is no waste of energy or time in preparation for purposes of 
mere display. All the appliances, employed in the development of mind-power, rest on 
a natural and philosophic basis, consequently the work done is solid and enduring. This 
fadl is fully endorsed by the intelleclual status of those who have already gone forth from 
this institution, to fill positions of honor and responsibility. Moreover, the systematic 
and successful training afforded by this school, is recognized by the educated portion of 
the community, whose appreciation of its advantages is shown by their liberal and con- 
tinued patronage. 

SYNOPSIS OF THE HIGH .SCHOOL. 

Male Departnioit. — Senior Class, Junior Class, Sophomore Class, Freshman Class. 
Female Deparhnent. — Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D. 

The following list comprises the successive teachers of the present High School : 

MALE DEPARTMENT. 
Principal Teachers. Assistants. 

'854-55 Robert L. D. Potter 

'855-56 Benjamin F. Stem R. L- D. Potter. 

1856-57 Robert F. Lehman R. L. D. Potter. 

1857-58 H. M. Hazeltine Hugh P. Marston. 

1858-59 William H. Dean Hugh P. Marston. 

''^59-63 ... Benjamin F. Stem Hugh P. Marston. 

1863-65 John H. Sykes Hugh P. Marston. 

1865-67 Jacob W. Weaver Hugh P. Marston. 

1867-70 ... Jacob \V. Weaver Joseph Martin. 

1870-72 Robert E. James . - Joseph Martin. 

1872-77 Jacob VV. Weaver Joseph Martin. 

1877-79 Jacob W. Weaver Joseph Martin. 

1879-82 Henry Snyder Joseph Martin. 



392 THE HISTORY OF 

FEMALE DEPARTMENT. 

Principal Teachers. .-Issistants. 

1857-5S Sethl.Tharp 

1858-59 Sethl.Tharp Mrs. E. P. Johnson. 

1859-60 J. R. Button Miss M. M. Shattuck. 

1860-64 William H. Stultz " M. M. Shattuck. 

1864-65 Daniel E- Schoedler " M. M. Shattuck. 

1865-66 J. F. Ernst " E. A. Longstreth. 

1866-67 William H. Stultz " E- A. Longstreth. 

1867-77 William H. Stultz " E. H. Hoagland. 

1873-77 Assistant in Both Departments " S.R.Miller. 

1877-82 Assistant in Both Departments " S.R.Miller. 

1877-S1 William H. Stultz " E. H. Hoagland. 

1881-82 W. H. Harrison " E. H. Hoagland. 

1882-S3 Henry Snyder Joseph Martin. 

Jacob Mann. 
Miss E. H. Hoagland. 
" S. R. Miller. 

18S3-85 Henry Snyder " M. E. Mansfield. 

Joseph Martin. 
Miss E. H. Hoagland. 

1885-87 Henry Snyder " M. E. Mansfield. 

Joseph Martin. 
Miss E. H. Hoagland. 
1887-88 Benjamin F. Sandt " Susan R. Miller. 

THE SUBORDINATE SCHOOLS. 

The subordinate schools, in their general arrangement, are grouped into grammar, 
secondary, and primary departments. These departments are subdivided into grades, to 
promote an equitable and advantageous distribution of pupils, and the several grades of 
the respecftive departments are specifically classified, that the work of instruction may be 
definitely applied, and sticce.ssfully and economically carried on. 

The course of study has been judiciously selec?ted, and graduated so as to harmonize 
with the gradation and classification of the schools. The te.xt-books used in any parti- 
cular school are uniform in all schools, of the same grade, throughout the town. 

The order and classification of the subordinate schools, as they are now constituted, 
may be synoptically stated as follows : 

I. GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT. 

This department, in each se(5lion, comprises two divisions of equal grade, but sepa- 
rate in government and instrticftion. The pupils are distributed according to sex, the 
males occupying one division, and the females, the other. The supply of pupils for this 
department is drawn from grade No. i, of the secondary department. 

Classification of the Grammar Schools. — Males — Class No. i. Class No. 2, Class No. 3. 
Females — Class No. i, Class No. 2, Class No. 3. 

2. SECONDARY DEPARTMENT. 

This department is divided into male and female divisions, each of which comprises 
three distin6l grades, numbered respectively i, 2 and 3. Pupils, upon examination, are 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 393 

advanced from No. 3 to No. 2, and thence to No. i, from which they are promoted to the 
grammar department. 

Classification of the Secondary Schools. — Grade No. i. Males — Class No. i, Class 
No. 2. Grade No. i. Females — Class No. i, Class No. 2. 

Grade No. 2. Males— Class No. i, Class No. 2. Grade No. 2. Females— Class No. 
I, Class No. 2. 

Grade No. 3. Males — Class No. i, Class No. 2. Grade No. 3. Females — Class No. 
I, Class No. 2. 

3. PRIMARY DEPARTMENT. 

The primary department embraces two grades, numbered respedlively i and 2. 
Pupils of both sexes, on their first admission to school, enter No. 2. Upon the comple- 
tion of the studies of this grade, they are transferred to No. i, whence, upon promotion, 
they are admitted to grade No. 3, of the secondary department, the girls entering one 
division, and the boys the other. 

Classification of the Primaiy Schools. — Grade No. i. Class No. i. Class No. 2. 

Grade No. 2. Class No. i, Class No. 2, Class No. 3. 

SCHOOL HOUSES. 

This districl, at present, has an ample supply of school-houses. The nine buildings, 
now devoted to the use of the public schools, were originally built with the design of 
being used as school edifices, and all of them, save the old academy and frame seminary 
building, on Second street, were erected by the school diredlors, and at the expense of 

the distri(ft. 

SIXTH WARD ACADEMY. 

Prior to the year 1854, no portion of the public funds, raised by taxation, had been 
expended in the building of school-houses. In 1853, ^ ^o*^) located at that time, in the 
extretne western part of the tozvn, now the Sixth Ward, was purchased of Mrs. Eliza A. 
Wilson, for the sum of $2,000 ; and the brick academy, erected thereon, was completed in 
1854, at a cost of about $6,000. This academy is sixty feet front by forty feet deep, two 
stories in height, and contains eight school-rooms. The original lot, having been subse- 
quently divided by the opening of Seventh street, the western half was retained for school 
purposes, whilst the eastern half was divided into building lots and sold for the sum of 
$1,500. This sum, with the $500 paid by the county on an award of damages, occasioned 
by the opening of the street, equals in amount the entire cost of the original lots. The 
present valuable school lot, on Seventh street, was, therefore, secured without cost to the 
distrid; ; and this result is due to the energy and ta<5l of Mr. Aaron Seip, who, at that 
time, was one of the most efficient and progressive members of the School Board. 

HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING. 

The eredlion of a High School building, on the east side of Second street, was com- 
menced in 1855, and completed and occupied in 1856. It is built of brick, and rough- 
cast ; is forty -eight feet front by seventy-four feet deep ; three stories in height, and con- 
tains ten school-rooms, which are heated by hot-air furnaces. This building, with the 
improvement of the adjacent grounds, cost $20,190.98. The building, alone, cost about 



394 



THE HISTORY OF 




PENN Bl'ILDING. SITGREAVES BUILDING. M'CARTNKV 1!LII.1iI> 

THE SECOND WARD SCHOOL BUILDINGS, NORTH SECOND STREET. 



$17,000. This is one of tlie most substantial and convenient school-houses in the distridl. 
It was built by Mr. Charles Mclntire, architect and builder, under the direcflion and super- 
vision of a building committee, consisting of Dodlor Samuel Sandt, Edward F. Stewart 
and Aaron Seip. It is named McCartney. 

SIXTH WARD PRIMARY HALL. 

In i860 a Primary hall was built on the north end of the Seventh street school lot. 
This is a one-story, brick building, thirty-two feet front by seventy-two feet deep, contains 
three school-rooms, and was erected by Mr. Levi Bennet, contractor and builder, for the 
sum of $1,700. 

FIRST W.ARD BUILDING. 

In 1870 proceedings were instituted that had for their objedl the erection of a school- 
house in the First Ward. A lot 250x88 feet having been procured from the Lutheran 
congregation, at a cost of $20,250, the strudlure was forthwith commenced. The corner- 
stone was laid with imposing ceremonies, June 30, 187 1, on which occasion the Hon. J. 
P. Wickersham, Superintendent of Common Schools, officiated as master of ceremonies. 
The building was comi^leted and occupied in 1873. This school-house covers an area of 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



395 



forty-eight hundred square feet, and in appearance presents a magnificence of strnclnre 
that ranks it among the finest school edifices in the State. It is built of brown stone, with 
trimmings of Ohio white stone ; is three stories in height, and covered with Mansard roof 
The first and second stories each contain four commodious school-rooms, with a comple- 
ment of recitation rooms. The third story consists of two general school-rooms and three 
recitation rooms. The main rooms are each of sufficient size to afford accommodation for 




THE TAYLOR BUILDING, MIITH I'DUKTH STREET. 

one hundred and thirty pupils. The several rooms are provided with slate surface for 
blackboard purposes, which, in the aggregate, cover an area of two thousand square feet. 
This building is heated by steam, has fire escapes, and is furnished with every conve- 
nience compatible with modern school improvements. It is beautifully located on South 
Fourth street, between Ferry and Spruce, and has elegant lawns north and south of it. 
The net cost of this building was $96,139.37. It is named Taylor. 

THIRD WARD BUILDIN'G. 

In 1872 the Board of Control purchased a lot in the Third Ward as a site for a school 
building. The erection of the building, however, was delayed until 1874, when the con- 
tradl for the same having been completed, the building was proceeded with, and finished 
in 1875. This school-house is a substantial brick edifice forty feet front by fifty-si.x feet 
deep; two stories in height, and modeled after a plan published in the "Pennsylvania 
School Architetlure." It contains one large school-room, with two recitation rooms on 
each floor, and is well adapted to the purposes of consolidated schools. The contract price 
of this building was $6,935, but, in consequence of sundry necessary additional expenses, 
its cost reached the sum of $8,650. 



396 THE HISTORY OF 

SEVENTH WARD BUILDINGS. 

The citizens living in the extreme south-western limits of the borough, having 
repeatedly importuned the board to furnish their children with suitable and convenient 
school accommodations, and the Glendon Iron Company having generously proffered a lot 
at a nominal ground rent, as a site for a school-house, the board accepted the offered lot, 
and ere(5ted thereon in 1875, a neat frame school-house. This building is twenty-five feet 
front by forty feet deep, and one story in height. It contains one school room, with con- 
venient hat rooms, and is well furnished and properly ventilated. It cost $1,329. 

The next school-house erefted in this distric?t was commenced in 1876. This building 
is located in the Seventh Ward, at the corner of Twelfth and Ferry streets, on a lot pur- 
chased for the sum of $2,000. The building is a brick struciflure, eighty feet front by fifty 
feet deep, and two stories in height. The first story is divided into three school-rooms, 
two of which are designed for one teacher each, and the other, being a large room with a 
recitation room attached, is intended for two teachers. The second story having been 
arranged for the accommodation of two consolidated schools, is divided into two capacious 
rooms, with an accompanying recitation room for each. This building, in strudtnre, 
finish, and convenience of arrangement is complete, and refle6ls credit on the builders and 
the committee that supervised its erecftion. This school-house was eredled by a contract 
at a cost of $9,573, which, added to the expenses incurred by the improvement of the 
grounds, makes the entire cost $12,763.34. 

SCHOOL SUPERVISION. 

This district was probably the first in the State to inaugurate a system of school super- 
vision. The value and importance of this feature of school administration, were recog- 
nized by the school authorities of Easton, long before its incorporation into the general 
school system of the State. In Easton, the borough superintendency, as a distincft school 
office, was created and clothed with specific duties eleven years in advance of the estab- 
lishment of the county superintendency, and ante-dated even the existence of the State 
superintendency, as a separate and distinft office. 

The Rev. John P. Hecht, having been appointed superintendent of the Easton schools 
in February, 1843, was the first to perform the fundlions of the newly-created office. Mr. 
Hecht was a prominent clergyman of the town, and having undertaken, without compen- 
sation, to discharge the duties of school superintendent, devoted as much time to the 
interests of the schools as was compatible with his clerical engagements. 

In August, 1849, the Rev. Oliver S. St. John was elecSled borough superintendent at 
a fixed salary. Mr. St. John being otherwise disengaged, gave his attention exclusively 
to the duties of his office. In addition to the labor bestowed on the Easton schools, he 
devoted a limited portion of his time to the supervision of the South Easton schools. His 
administration was reformatory in chara6ler, and was signalized as a career of incessant 
and arduous labor. His success was visible in the hopeful condition of the schools, in the 
healthful acilivity of pupils and teachers, and in the growth of public interest in the Com- 
mon Schools. Mr. St. John's official connecflion with the schools of Easton continued 
until Atigust, 1853, when the present incumbent was elecSled. 

The general results of the present school system, as portrayed elsewhere, by Edward 
F. vStewart, Esq., are herewith given in part only. 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 397 

Mr. Stewart, having a6lively served in the capacity of school diredlor for a period of 
twenty years, and having been identified with all enterprises of an improving and elevating 
tendency, in our school development, is capable of furnishing full and reliable informa- 
tion, touching the past and present history of our schools. 

Mr. Stewart says : " We note the following, as some of the fruits of the system : 

"/. The Effect on the Public Mi )id. — Public opinion has been revolutionized. Ani- 
mosity has, if not wholly destroyed, been allayed. The citizens feel proud of their educa- 
tional advantages. The public school is regarded as a powerful instrument in determining 
the future destiny of the borough. It no longer needs the law alone for its support. It 
is upheld by the arms of an intelligent community. It has the vigilant guardianship of 
an interested people. Hence the patronage is universal. Sele6l schools scarcely exist. 
The crowd of children, representative of every social grade, that throngs the public 
schools of this place, is indicative of the confidence manifested in the system. 

" -'. T/ie Effect Upon the Teachers. — The standard of teaching has been elevated. A 
drone can get no employment here. Appointments are made on the basis of qualification, 
and not on that of favoritism or poverty. Self-culture has been thus promoted. The 
system provides for the promotion of teachers, upon the condition of progress, as exhib- 
ited by increased efficiency. The interest thus awakened in the teacher has given life to 
the system. The zeal of the teacher has been infused into his pupils. The culture of 
the preceptor is shown in the advancement of his scholars. 

"j. The Effect Upon the Pupils. — The principle of progression is applied, as well to 
the advancement of the pupils, as in the promotion of teachers. The objetl is to elicit 
personal force. Individuality of charatler is carefully studied. The great aim is to train 
each pupil for the particular avocation in life to which he seems adapted." 

" The Public School system has been more fully developed since the establishment of 
the borough superinteudency. This is to be accounted for, because of the immediate 
intercourse between the superintendent and the teacher. The superintendent can visit 
the schools each day. He can see defecfls, and apply the necessary remedy ; can reprove 
the unfaithful teacher, and counsel unruly scholars. He can protedl the pupil from any 
injustice on the part of the teachers, and can advise parents as to the best methods of 
securing the progress of their children. In fine, he can closely watch the workings of the 
machinery, no matter how complicated, and keep it in regular motion, and accelerate 
that motion." 

FROM 1876 TO 1888. 

The above history of the Public Schools is from the pen of Superintendent Cotting- 
ham. The educational machinery during the last twelve years has moved along with its 
wonted smoothness. But there have been a few changes, and other important events, 
during these years which are of considerable importance. Prominent among the changes 
are those which affecft the High School, in its management and relation to the Grammar 
Schools. Until quite a recent date the High School course consisted of four years ; this 
has been changed to three. There was quite a class of pupils who did not wish to buy 
books for the High School course, and yet desired to continue their studies somewhat 
further than thev could in the Grammar School, and to accommodate this class, the studies 



398 



THE HISTORY OF 




THK FRANKLIN BUILDING, CORNER WALNUT AND NINTH STREETS. 



of the first year of the High School have been added to the Grammar Schools. Tlie 
studies are the same as before. There were those who felt fearful that the change would 
not give satisfa(5lion, but the result has not justified their fears. The High School is an 
institution which is held in high esteem by the people of Easton. The teachers occupy 
the front rank in the profession, and every department is taught in the highest style of the 
art. A change in the teachers is rarely made, and being thus permanent, they become 
familiar with the several departments, which is an element of success. The High School 
was organized in the early history of the Common Schools, and has been improved under 
the fostering care of the Superintendent until it stands unexcelled, if not unrivaled, in the 
State. Until recently there were two departments and two principals, but in 1882 the male 
and female departments were consolidated. The following is the personnel of the teachers : 

Senior and Middle Classes, B. F. Sandt, principal, teaching Greek and Latin. 

Senior Class, Miss Mary E. Mansfield, teaching Geometry, Botany, English Litera- 
ture, Civil Government, English Composition and Drawing. 

Middle and Junior Class, Miss Emma H. Hoagland, teaching Algebra, Natural Philos- 
ophy, Physiology, General History, Spelling, Writing, Drawing and English Composition. 

Middle and Junior Classes, Miss Susan R. Miller, teaching the same as above. 

Middle and Junior Classes, Jacob Mann, teaching the same. 

Middleand Junior Classes, Jos. Martin, teaching Algebra, Natural Philosophy and Latin. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 399 

SIXTH WARD BUILDING. 

In 1884 the Franklin school building was eredled. It is really the most convenient 
school house in the city. It is beautifully located at Walnut and Ninth streets, the 
grounds are ample, and the view from the building is very fine. In size it is 63 by 69 
feet square, with an entrance on each side, and so constructed as not to need fire escapes. 
It will accommodate over four hundred pupils. The board has bought suitable land on 
Northampton street, near Ninth, on which to erect another building. 

teachers' institute. 

The Teachers' Institute has been a very important fa<flor in the development and suc- 
cess of the Easton schools. One of the first duties performed by the superintendent was 
the organization of the Institute, November 13, 1854. The keen foresight of the super- 
intendent perceived the necessity of an association by which teachers could be specially 
trained for their work. The work of training was to be mutual, the teachers were to help 
each other. The Institute, for many years, met once a week, and no member could be 
excused but by a vote of the Board of Control. The most rigorous discipline was enforced 
by the superintendent and the board. The weather was not considered, cold or rain must 
not be thought of as an impediment. Debates, lecflures, recitations and essays, were given 
by all the members in turn. The educational journals were at hand, and all questions 
bearing upon the profession were discussed. Parliamentary law was closely studied and 
rigidly enforced by the presiding oflficer. At other times the Institute would be divided 
into classes, study lessons during the week and recite the same as pupils in the schools. 
Every phase of educational science would thus be canvassed and thoroughly ventilated. 
The superintendent was always present and would speak of faults he had observed in the 
visitation of the schools in the manner and methods of instrucflion and advise in the mat- 
ter. The teachers thus became masters of the art of teaching in theory and pracftice. 
The older teachers would stand high as professors in college. This is one instrumentality 
which has done much to place the schools of Easton on so high a plane. The superinten- 
dent now looks back with pleasure at the early organization of this co-ordinate branch of 
education in Easton. It is interesting to think that the mind of Easton of to-day has 
passed under the manipulations of these faithful toilors, as the children of the present 
day are being moulded for the Easton of the future. And it is painful to realize, that 
while the clergyman, who has grown old in the service of his church is cared for in old 
age, the old teacher is forgotten, and turned out like an old horse to die. The time will 
come when worn-out teachers will be pensioned like worn-out soldiers in the army. The 
names of the first members of the Institute are as follows : W. W. Cottingham, president, 
Oracle S. Sage, William Thomas, Hugh P. Marston, E. D. Milliard, R. L. D. Potter, 
John F. Gwinner, Newton Kirkpatrick, Matilda Evans, Miriam Godown, Anna McNeal, 
Jane Wilson, Susan Troxell, Anna F. Davis, Rebecca Lone, Irene Dexter, Jane A. Car- 
roll, Elizabeth A. Kale, Mary Hecht, Emma Hecht, Elizabeth Dithmar, Mary A. Naylor, 
Rosa Hinkle, Martha Moore, Henrietta Ludwig, Isabella T. Horn, Mary A. Young, Susan 
H. Tice and Elizabeth T. Innes. 



The city is divided into five sections, and the members of the Board of Control have 
the oversight of the school property in the section in which they reside. 



400 THE HISTORY OF 

WILLIAM WHITE COTTINGHAM. 

William White Cottingham, who has completed the third of a century of continuous service as Superintendent 
of our Public Schools, was born in Easton on the 6th day of December, 1824. He is the son of Robert and Sophia Cot- 
tingham. He first attended the private school of Miss Gertrude Kempfer, where he was initiated into the first rudi- 
ments of learning. He next attended the school of Mrs. Pryor, in the frame building nearly opposite the High School 
building, on Second street. Mrs. Pryor was the wife of an Episcopal clergyman, and kept a school more especially 
designed for girls, but admitted a few boys only, among whom was the subject of this sketch. When still a boy his 
parents removed to the city of Philadelphia, and while there he attended the select school of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rapp. 
After living there a short time the family again returned to Easton, and he entered the schools of Richard Collier and 
Jacob Stemmer, both remembered by our older citizens, at both of which he remained for some time. The latter was 
at the time the organist in the German Reformed Church, on Third street, and opened a school in the old building 
which adjoined the church. Josiah Davis then opened a select school for girls and boys, on Third street, opposite the 
German Reformed Church, which was well attended by girls, but numbered only a few boys, among them the subject 
of this sketch. 

In 1834 the Public School law went into effect, and the citizens of Easton, taking advantage of it, and a Board hav- 
ing been organized, a school was opened and Josiah Davis was elected teacher thereof. The first school was opened 
in the basement of the old Episcopal Church, on Spring Garden street. Mr. Cottingham was among its first pupils. 
After continuing there for a while, the Board of Directors transferred the school to the Academy building, on Second 
street. Some difliculty arose concerning the transfer of scholars from Mr. Davis' school to another, which Mr. Davis 
resisted, as well as parents, and it resulted in the opening of a select school by Mr. Davis, to which a number of the 
pupils followed him, young Cottingham among the rest. After this he attended the school of Dr. Vanderveer for a 
while, when he entered the dry goods and grocery store of his father, on Third street, where he remained for two or 
three years. The mercantile business did not suit his taste, his mind inclined to mental pursuits and wider fields of 
thought. He then left the store and entered the Model School in Lafayette College, then under Professor D. P. Yoe- 
mans, where he prepared himself for a college course. He was admitted to Lafayette, took a four-years' course, and 
graduated in 1848. Immediately after his graduation he was elected by the Board of Trustees as a tutor in the college. 
He served in this capacity for one year, when an.xious to prepare himself for still higher labors, if necessary, he entered 
Princeton Seminary. He remained at this institution for two years, when he was invited to take charge of the Acad- 
emy at Haddonfield, N. J., in which the classics and higher mathematics were taught. He accepted the offer, took 
charge of the academy and remained there for a time. While there the trustees of Lafayette recalled him to the tutor- 
ship of their college, to which he responded and returned to his former field of labor. The college at that time was 
not in a flourishing condition financially, and the salaries paid were meagre, and Mr. Cottingham thinking after a 
time that he could do better elsewhere, resigned the tutorship. For several months he was not specially engaged, 
when Mr. St. John, then Superintendent of the Public Schools of Easton and South Easton, being in want of a teacher 
for the advanced school at South Easton, requested him to take charge until a permanent teacher could be secured. 
Mr. Cottingham complied, and no other teacher being elected, he continued until the end of the term. During this 
temporary engagement, he became interested in the work of teaching, especially the canal boys who frequented his 
school in this term, and he resolved to devote his future time to the service. In August, 1853, he was elected principal 
of the High School of Easton and soon after Superintendent. In January, 1854, he suggested a plan for the manage- 
ment of the schools, applied himself to a thorough organization, drew a draft for the grading of all schools, which was 
endorsed by the Board, and started the successful machinery by which the schools of Easton are still governed, only 
more fully developed. Easton at this time stood alone as an independent district in this State. The reputation of our 
schools under the efficient management of Mr. Cottingham, extends all over the country. After the organization of 
the schools Mr. Cottingham, in addition to the regular work of superintending the schools, also for many years per- 
formed the clerical work now done by the secretary and librarian. These extra services were performed by him until 
1873, when he was relieved by the appointment of a secretary. 

Mr. Cottingham deserves the credit not only for the present perfect system of school government, but for the origin 
and introduction of many other new features in the department. Through his suggestion and influence the scholarship 
of Lafayette College was obtained and offered as a prize in the High School. 

Mr. Cottingham treats his schools like a family, takes the same interest in their mental, moral and physical cul- 
ture. When the scholars leave school he still follows them and watches their career, assisting when he can in securing 
them positions, and in encouraging and counseling them in all good things. He is the oldest Superintendent in the 
United States, having held the position for thirty-six years. 

He is a man of strong physical and mental powers, or he could not endure the arduous labors of so many years as 
he has done. He is unassuming in his manners, while he is courteous to all with whom he comes in contact. He per- 
forms the various duties of his ofl!ice with an exemplary impartiality, but a quiet decision, that makes the vast combi- 
nation of elements in our school department a power for good to the public as well as the pupils under his control. 




rA- 




om 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 401 

LONG AND HONORABLE RECORD — INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE. 

The author while looking over the records of the public schools of the borough, found 
that Mr. W. W. Cottingham had held the position of Superintendent for nearly thirty- 
two years. The thought occurred to him that this was perhaps the longest continuous 
term of oflSce in the history of common schools in the country. To ascertain this fact 
inquiry was made of the Commissioner of Education in Washington, D. C, which caused 
the following correspondence : 

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Education, Washington, D. C, June 9, 18S5. 
Reverend and Dear Sir : Your note of June 2, received here on the 6th, is before me, and I am pleased to learn 
from it of the nearly thirty-two years' continuous service of Superintendent Cottingham, of Easton. It is a remarkable 
length of tenure, and I should like to know whether it has been throughout continuous in one place, and in essentially 
the same office. The first mention of him in the Pennsylvania School Reports appears to be in 1857, about twenty- 
eight years ago, before which time the names of any other than County Superintendents are rarely given. * * * 

Outside of the United States there has been the remarkable case of the Rev. Dr. Egerton Ryerson, appointed Chief 
Superintendent of Education in what is now the Province of Ontario, Upper Canada, in 1844, and retired in 1S76, after 
thirty-two years of service, a term which your Mr. Cottingham seems likely to equal, if not to exceed. Thanking you 
for bringing his case to my notice, I am, with congratulations to him on his long service, very truly 

Your obedient servant, 

John Eaton, Commissioner of Education. 

Easton, Pa., June 12, 1885. 
Hon. John Eaton, Commissioner of Education — Dear Sir : Yours of the 9th of June is at hand, and I am happy 
to inform you that William W. Cottingham has been Superintendent of the Common Schools of Easton, Pa., since 
August, 1853. He entered upon his duties September i of that year, and will have been in office thirty-two years Sep- 
tember I of this year. There has not been a "break," his has been a continuous tenure. The reason his name does 
not appear in the reports of the State prior to 1857 is because Borough Superintendents were not required to report to 
State authorities prior to that date. Mr. Cottingham is in good health, and in all probability will excel the Canadian 
competitor. We think he is good for ten years longer. It is a source of pleasure that I am able to answer your inqui- 
ries so satisfactorily. 

Your obedient servant, 

U. W. Condit. 

THE COTTINGHAM CELEBRATION. 

The School Board at a special session on February 21, 1887, passed resolutions lauda- 
tory of Mr. Cottingham, directed a suitable minute of his services to be entered on the 
records of the Board, and appointed a committee to arrange conjointly with the committee 
of the teachers for a suitable public celebration. 

The joint committee was constituted as follows : James K. Dawes, Chairman; James 
Donnelly, Allen Albright, W. Gibson Field and Edward J. Fox, Jr. , of the Board of Con- 
trol, and Henry Snyder, Mary E. Mansfield, Jacob Mann, Alice L. Vreeland, Laura C. 
DeHart, Carrie I. Pauli, George Anna Lake and Jacob W. Weaver, Secretary, of the 
teachers. The committee designated Thursday, April 28, 1887, as the time for the cele- 
bration, and it was accordingly held on that day, and we herewith present our readers 
with an extended account thereof 

THE PROCESSION. 

The outlines of the program previously published in the daily papers enabled the pub- 
lic to form some idea of what was to be done in celebration of the completion, by Mr. Cot- 
tingham, of a third of a century as Superintendent of the Easton schools, but we seriously 
question whether the public was prepared for the very elaborate display that was made. 



402 THE HISTORY OF 

The streets were decorated, the town became alive with interest, and crowds thronged 
the thorouglifares. It suddenly dawned upon the people that there was an unusual 
"something" afloat, and it aroused the greatest amount of interest. 

The management of the affair devolved upon James K. Dawes, Esq., now Secretary 
of the Board of Control. 

Shortly after one o'clock the first appearance were made of those who were to form 
the parade. The school children seemed to pop up all over town with their colored bad- 
ges, with the pidlure of Mr. Cottingham and the legend, " Third of a Century Celebration, 
Easton, Pa., April 28, 1887." Now and then a teacher appeared, and at intervals im- 
portant looking gentlemen — members of the School Board or some other dignitary. These 
were noticed in different parts of the city — the scholars hastening to their schools, the dig- 
nitaries wending their way to the Taylor building. At the schools there was bustle and 
excitement. Soon young men with bronze-colored badges, aids, were seen at the school 
buildings, and then the long lines of school children began marching through the streets, 
bending their steps toward the Taylor building. As the aids arrived with their following 
of school children they reported to Marshal Dawes, who assigned the position of each 
school according to its grade. First in line came the Primaries, then the Secondaries, 
then the Grammar schools, and lastly the High School scholars. To find places for these 
— in all about 2,200 children — the line was extended from Fourth and Ferry to North- 
ampton, up the south side to Sixth street, and down to Fourth again on the north side, 
the rear extending along Ferry street. 

When all was formed and ready to move the School Diretlors, city officials, represen- 
tatives of Lafayette College and other distinguished guests were escorted from the Taylor 
building to the head of the procession and assigned a position just behind the band. Behind 
them came thirteen little girls carrying baskets of flowers. The procession formed and 
marched as follows : 

Chief Tilton with Platoon of Police. 

Junior Cornet Band. 

Two Silk United States Flags. 

Marshal — J. K. Dawes. 

Three Aids. 

The Banner of the Public Schools. 

Board of Control. 

City Officials and Invited Guests. 

Dr. Kuo.'i, President, and Dr. Green, Dean of Lafayette College. 

Superintendent Cottingham, 

Attended by Edward J. Fox, Jr., President of the Board of Control, and Rev. T. O. Stem, President of the 

Board of Control of last year. 

The Souvenir Album — In Charge of Henry Snyder, Principal of the High School. 

Three Aids. 

Primary Division Banner — (Purple with Canary Bar.) 

Thirteen Little Girls of the Primary Schools, each Carrying a Basket of Flowers. 

Twenty two Primary Schools, each with Purple Banners — (1071 Pupils.) 

Secondary Division Banner — (Canary with Blue Bar.) 

Twenty Secondary Schools, each with Canary Banner — (716 Pupils.) 

Grammar Division Banner — (Blue with Red Bar.) 

Ten Grammar Schools, each with Blue Banner — (304 Pupils.) 

High School Banner— (Red with White Bar.) 

The High .School in Four Divisions, each with a Red Banner — (117 Pupils.) 



£ ASTON, PENN'A. 403 

The total number of pupils in the procession was 2,208. The Banner of the Public 
Schools was of gold cloth, gold fringe, with a broad bar of black satin, on which was 
emblazoned in gold letters, " Public Schools," and on the banner in black letters, " Eas- 
ton, Penna. " On the Division Banners were inscribed, in gold letters on the bar, the 
grade of schools at head of which they were carried. Each school carried a satin banner, 
gold fringed, with the name, in gold letters, of the school building and room in which it 
was located. 

During the passage of the procession through the streets every available point of 
observation was densely crowded, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. The parade 
passed down Northampton street to Front street, thence to Lafayette Hall, in which was 
assembled an audience, composed entirely of ladies, completely filling the building, except 
the floor and the places reserved for the participants and invited guests. The scene was 
unequaled in the history of Easton, and was as brilliant in spectacle as it was complimen- 
tary to Mr. Cottingham. 

As the scholars marched into the building they passed in review before Mr. Cotting- 
ham, who, with the president and ex-president of the board, stood on an elevated plat- 
form. As the division banner bearers arrived they left the line and assumed positions in 
the rear of the reviewing stand. The Board of Control stood just beyond the stand with 
open ranks through which the scholars passed, after which the distinguished guests 
passed into the hall. 

A half hour was required to mass the scholars, who were under the direction of Mr. 
Moses Menline, one of the aids to the marshal, who had been assigned to the charge of the 
hall, and who, with the assistance of his fellow aids, marched them to the places assigned 
them, and so perfectly was this done that, though over 2,200 children, more than one- 
half of them under ten years of age, were massed on the floor of the hall, not a hitch or 
halt occurred, and all were condu6led to their proper places in the most perfe6l order. 

There were two platforms eredled in the building. One was occupied by Mr. Cotting- 
ham, President Kno.x, Dr. Green, Revs. Ferrier and Walter, Marshal Dawes, President 
Fo.x, and e.x-President Stem, of the Board of Control, Messrs. S. M. Perkins and J. A. 
Greene, of New York, and Mayor Chidsey. On the opposite platform were City Con- 
troller Rothrock and City Treasurer McCauley, the Board of Control and other guests. 

The exercises in the hall consisted of instrumental and vocal music. Thirteen little 
girls, between si.x and seven years of age, and representing the thirteen Primary, No. 2 
schools, each carrying a small basket of flowers, passed before Mr. Cottingham on the 
stage, and, as they passed, presented him with their baskets, which afterwards were tastily 
grouped on the stage, adding to the scenic effect. 

It had been the desire of the friends of Mr. Cottingham to present him with some 
gift which would add to the pleasure of the occasion, and help him to remember the donors 
as he might look upon the gift in future years. The gift consisted of a beautiful album, 
manufactured especially for the occasion. The size of the book is thirteen by sixteen 
inches, and contains 298 pages. It is heavily bound in dark brown Levant morocco ; the 
outside covers are severely plain, relieved only by the narrowest of gilt lines near the 
edge, this being considered the highest taste in the binding art for very choice or presen- 
tation books, the modest plainness of the outside being only a fitting coutrast to the ele- 
gance and exquisiteness of the interior. 



404 THE HISTORY OF 

When the covers are opened the first glance brings exclamations of delight ; they are 
lined with white moire silk, the leather edges very broad, being elegantly decorated in 
gold, with elaborate tool work. The title page is a marvel of the penman's art. It is 
not only of great artistic skill as to the design, bnt the e.vecution is fanltless. 

The sheets composing the book are of the finest linen paper, mannfacftured specially 
for this pnrpose ; the pages set apart for signatures are surrounded with a French gray tint 
border, through which appears a branch of laurel tied with a bow ; on the opposite page 
is a laurel wreath, also in same colored tint surrounding the words " Cottingham, Third 
of a Century," in old style Elizabethan letters. The laurel is especially appropriate as 
indicating the victor's wreath, to which Mr. Cottingham is so justly entitled. The plates 
from which the tints were printed were specially engraved for this Album, and are excel- 
lent products of the engraver's skill. 

There are between three and four thousand names in the book, consisting of the 
present and former pupils, present and former teachers ; Governor and Cabinet officers of 
the State, names of the Judiciary, Legislature, and City Government, hosts of friends, and 
every name is autographic from the child of six years to those venerable in years. 

The presentation was made by Mr. Henry Snyder in the presence of the vast audi- 
ence by an eloquent address. Upon the reception of the book the Superintendent returned 
his grateful acknowledgment with words befitting the occasion. The parting song was 
sung and the audience dispersed. And, at this writing, January 26, 1889, Mr. Cotting- 
ham is still at his post, hale, and hearty, and happy. 

GOVERNOR WOLF AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

In reading over the history of education in our city we find a few names that excite 
unusual interest. Among those is that of Governor George Wolf His agency in the cause 
popular education, the founding of the Common School system for Pennsylvania under 
his energetic and active influence, and while he was Governor of the Commonwealth, has 
embalmed his memory in the hearts of millions. The words of James Buchanan, just 
before the elecftion of the Governor to his high office, give a proper idea of the brilliant 
career upon which Mr. Wolf was to enter. Mr. Buchanan used the following language : 
"If ever the passion of envy could be excused a man ambitious of true glory, he might 
almost be justified in envying the fame of that favored individual, whoever he may be, 
whom Providence intends to make the instrument in establishing Common Schools through- 
out this Commonwealth. His task will be arduous. He will have many difficulties to 
encounter, and many prejudices to overcome ; but his fame will exceed that of the great 
Clinton, in the same proportion that mind is superior to matter. Whilst the one has 
ere6led a frail memorial, which, like everything human, must decay and perish, the other 
will raise a monument which shall flourish in immortal youth, and shall endure whilst the 
human soul continues to e.xist. Ages unborn, and nations yet behind shall bless his 
memory." Providence selected George Wolf for that high post of honor, and to him, in 
all time to come, when the inquirer shall seek to know by whose voice and sturdy will 
that great boon was championed and finally won, will the pseons of praise and gratitude 
be sung. Governor Wolf undertook to establish the Common School system, he made it 
the special objett of his ambition, he made it the cherished purpose of his administration. 



E AS TON, PENW-l. 



405 



He was opposed by prejudice, avarice and error. But he determined to succeed. He ascer- 
tained by statistical reports that out of 400,000 children, between five and fifteen years of 
age, more than 250,000 were not in school during the previous year. To the mind of a 
philanthropist, this state of thing was appalling. This facfl of itself startled the earnest, 
sincere heart of the Governor. "Hercules-like, he put his shoulder to the wheel," and 
with his iron will yielded to no temporizing. He talked in private, used all the force of 
his intellecT: in public ; he reasoned in the light of political economy, in the light of justice 
to the rising generation, in the light of safety to our institutions, in the light of Christian 
patriotism ; his heart was set on the matter, he saw the time had come and was ripe for 
the consummation of the .sublime objedl of his ambition. He knew human nature, he 

knew the way to the human heart, and went 

dire6lly into the centre of human affection and 
motive power. He was the first Governor of the 
State who had his room in the State House, and 
bade the people welcome. Here he met with the 
influential men of all parties, and from all parts 
of the State, and in the most diredl and candid 
manner laid the important matter before them. 
Governor Wolf succeeded, and his name, thus 
connected with this glorious step in the intellec- 
tual progress of Pennsylvania, has become im- 
mortal. ■ And this very fortunate and highly 
favored Governor was a citizen of Easton. George 
Wolf, the seventh Governor of Pennsylvania, 
was born in Allen township, Northampton county, 
Aiignst 12, 1777. His father was a native of Ger- 
many, who left two sons, Philip and George, who 
inherited the vigor, good sense and integrity of 
the father. George was educated at a classical 
school established in the county by a society, 
which was presided over by Robert Andrews, A. 
M. , a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin. Here 
he acquired a good knowledge of the Latin and 
Greek languages and the science usually pursued in a liberal education. For a time he 
had charge of his father's farm, and also acTied as principal of the academy in his native 
township. He soon after entered the Prothonotary's office of Northampton county as 
a clerk, and at the same time studied law under the diredlion of the Hon. John Ross. 
He early espoused the political opinions of Mr. Jefferson, and in 1799 advocated the elec- 
tion of Thomas McKeen for Governor. When Mr. Jefferson became president he appointed 
Mr. Wolf postmaster at Easton. Afterwards, Governor McKeen appointed him Clerk of 
the Orphans' Court of Northampton county, which position he held until 1809. In 1814 
he was ele(?ted a member of the lower house of the Legislature, and in the following year 
was a candidate for the Senate, but was defeated on account of a rupture in the party 
and the formation of a double ticket. In 1824 he was elected a member of the United 
States House of Representatives, and was re-elecled for the two succeeding terms, having 




HON. GEORGE WOLF, 
Ex-Governor of Pennsylvania and Foun- 
der OF THE Common School System. 



4o6 THE HISTORY OF 

no opposition in the first two ele(5tions, and being retnrned in the latter by a very large 
majority. He stood high among the members as a hard worker and a conscientions, up- 
right member. In 1829 he was nominated as a candidate for Governor, and was triumph- 
antly elected. The Governor was looked upon as a man of sterling integrity, sound 
judgment, and common sense. His constant intercourse with the world had enabled him 
to become well acquainted with human nature. 

Easton is justly proud to think that the man who brought into being the Common 
School System of Pennsylvania, was one of her citizens. He lived in the house now occu- 
pied by Dr. John Detweiler. This great, this sublime consummation of patriotic devo- 
tion to the public welfare reaches direcflly the children of the toiling millions, lifting them 
up in the highest positions in the social, religious and political world. It has brought to 
light the fadl that the only true aristocracy is that of mind, and is the gift of God. And 
the common school more frequently finds these jewels in the cabins of the poor than in 
the palace of the rich. The toiling teacher in our common schools has become the most 
potent fa(?lor in society. The teacher takes children in the plastic and most impressible 
state of childhood and developes the living glories of the immortal soul and prepares the 
expanding powers of these young minds to occupy the places of influence in and help 
guide the destinies of the mightiest nation on the globe. And it does not require the 
penetration of a philosopher to see that those who guide the destinies of this mighty 
republic come from the cottages of the poor. Those flowers that would have been born 
to "blush unseen," now scatter their fragrance over the surface of human society. And 
as the light, beaming from the common schools, reaches diredlly the children, they have 
had the privilege of erecling a monument to Governor Wolf. 

Governor Wolf was ele(5led in 1829, but the a(5l by which the Common Schools were 
established was not passed till 1834. But during these years he was busy gathering sta- 
tistics on the condition of education, writing, reasoning with the people, urging the sub- 
jedl upon the attention of legislators. But when the a6l finally passed it was with a 
unanimity, says the Governor, "rarely equaled, perhaps, never surpassed in the annals of 
legislation." The Governor was a candidate for a third term, but by a division in the 
party he was defeated. The following year he was appointed by General Jackson the first 
Comptroller of the Treasury of the United States. The duties of this important position 
were discharged for two years, when he was appointed by President VanBuren Collector 
of the Port of Philadelphia. On March 11, 1840, he died very suddenly, while in the 
vigor of manhood, in the si.xty-third year of his age. 

In 1859, thirty years ago, a movement was begun by which funds should be col- 
ledled to ere6l a monument to Governor Wolf. The work was completed September 
28, 1888. A committee was appointed by the Board of Control to make arrangements 
for a celebration in honor of the great event, which resulted in a grand ovation, that 
took place on the last mentioned date. James K. Dawes, Esq., was the chief marshal, 
and was eminently successful in the very elaborate display which refledled the highest 
honor upon all concerned. The celebration consisted of a procession which excelled, in 
artistic arrangement, the parade in honor of Mr. Cottingham. Nothing escaped the atten- 
tion of the chief marshal in the elaborateness of the arrangement, as the entire responsi- 
bility of the management rested upon him. The city was dressed in holiday attire. The 
buildings along the line of march were tastefully decorated. As they passed down the 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 407 

street it was viewed by tliousands of spectators, and the cheers of greeting were heard on 
every side. The procession was so long that the front reached the reviewing stand before 
the rear had started. 

Governor Beaver, State Superintendent Higbee, e.x-State Superintendent Wickersham, 
President Knox, Attorney General Kirkpatrick, General Reeder, Superintendent Cotting- 
ham. Mayor Chidsey, officials of the City, members of the Councils and School Board, 
and others took places on the reviewing stand, and watched the long line of schools as 
they passed in review. The line was formed as follows : 

Chief Tilton with a Platoon of Police. 

City Cornet Band. 

Two Silk United States Flags. 

Chief Marshal (Gold Badge). Three Marshals as .A.ids (Bronze Badge). 

The Wolf Memorial Banner with Forty-eight Pupils of the Primary Schools as Guards of Honor 

under charge of Marshal George M. Bebler. 

Contra(5lors and the Mechanics who aided in creeling the Arch. 

Wolf Memorial Committee (Peacock Blue Badge). 

Superintendent Cottiugham and II. S. Carey. 

Board of Control (Light Blue Badge) 

City Officials and Guests (Cream Badge). 

President Knox and Faculty of Lafayette College. 

Banner of Public Schools (Old Gold). 

Marshal (Bronze Badge) with three -Aids. 

Primary Division (Purple Badge with Canary Bar) — Twenty-four Primary Schools, each with 

Purple Satin Banner with Room Inscribed. 

Secondary Divnsion Banner (Canary with Blue Bar) — Twenty Secondary Schools, 

each with Canary Satin Banner with Building Inscribed. 

Grammar Division Banner (Blue with Red Bar)— Nine Grammar Schools, each with Blue Satin Banner. 

High School Di\'ision Banner (Cardinal with Cream Bar) — High School 

in Four Divisions, each with Cardinal Banner. 

South Easton Division — Superintendent S. E. Shull and Board of Control. 

Four Primary Schools. High School Division. 

Glendon Division — Superintendent P. A. Frace and Board of Control. 

Two Primary Schools. One Secondary School. One Mixed School. 

Grammar Division. 

Lafayette Division— Students of Lafayette College. 

It was 2.15 when the procession started, and the rear of the line did not pass the 
reviewing stand within an hour. There were three thousand seven hundred people in line. 
The pupils marched into the school grounds and were arranged on the lawn and terraces 
in front of the Penn building, presenting a scene of animated beauty seldom beheld. 

Thirty years before, Henry S. Carey had originated the movement, calling upon the 
children for penny contributions. He was introduced by the Marshal, and gave a brief 
history of the work so successfully completed that day. Dr. Traill Green, LL. D. , Dean 
of the Pardee Scientific Course of Lafayette College, was then introduced, and made a very 
eloquent address, alluding to Governor Wolf in his successful efforts to establish the Com- 
mon School system. And then turning to Governor Beaver, who stood by his side, the Dodlor 
said : "And now, honored Governor, I have the pleasure to present this monument, the 
gift of the pupils of the Public Schools of Easton to the State of Pennsylvania, through 
you as its highest officer, an appropriate memorial to one whose work has been a blessing 



4o8 THE HISTORY OF 

to generations yet to come. It is as stable as was his charatler, and standing open to 
receive the pupils of our schools, it symbolizes the door which opened for the admission 
of the children of Pennsylvania to the school house." 

This memorial gate-way is built of granite of a brownish hue, with copings and cap- 
pings of gray sandstone, and forms a complete archway over the entrance to the school 
grounds, and is located in the centre. From it paths diverge to the three school buildings. 
The keystone of the arch is supported by a square base, which on the other side round into 
the turrets. These latter, one on each side, contain marble tablets, and are surmounted 
with cone-shaped capping. The tablet on the north contains this inscription: "This 




THE WOLF MEMORIAL GATE-WAY. 

Memorial Gate-way was erected in honor of Hon. George Wolf, who, on April i, 1834, 
being a resident of Easton, and Governor of Pennsylvania, signed the Adl of A.ssembly 
creating the Public School system of this Commonwealth. The granite constituting the 
tnain body of this stru6lure was taken from the farm owned, in 1834, by Governor Wolf, 
and situated within the city limits." The tablet on the south reads as follows : "This 
Memorial Gate-way was eredted by means of a fund raised by the voluntary penny-con- 
tributions of the pupils of the Public Schools of Easton, and was, on September 28th, 
1888, dedicated in the presence of the Governor and a large assemblage of distinguished 
guests, officials, teachers and pupils of the public schools and citizens of Easton and vicinity. ' ' 
On the apex of the Gate-way is poised a polished granite globe, two-and-a-half feet in diam- 
eter, on which is cut a map of the world. The globe's polar diameter is not set vertically, 
but at the correcft inclination of the earth, viz., 23° 28', adjusted to the magnetic variation 
for this locality. 



COURT, BENCH AND BAR. 




jHE Royal Charter, granted to William Penn, March 4, 1680, by King 
Charles II., empowered him "to appoint and establish any Judges and 
Justices, Magistrates and other officers ;" " to do all and every other thing 
and things, which unto the complete establishment of justice, unto courts 
and tribunals, forms of judicature and manner of proceedings, do belong." 
Courts of Judicature were regularly established by the Adl passed May 
22, 1722. This A(ft was the foundation of the present Courts of Quarter 
Sessions, Common Pleas and Supreme Court ; and was the first which 
authorized the admission of attorneys for the pracftice of the law in the 
province. 

The A(?t of March 11, 1752, creating the county of Northampton, 
provided for the appointment of Justices, to hold Courts of Quarter Sessions, and County 
Courts for holding of Pleas, " at Easton, on Lehicfton, in the forks of the river Delaware, 
until a Court House shall be built. " The same AA authorized Thomas Craig, Hugh Wilson, 
John Jones, Thomas Armstrong, and James Martin, to purchase land and build a "Court 
House and Prison, sufficient to accommodate the public service of the said county, and 
the ease and conveniency of the inhabitants." Under this AA, the Court House, which 
stood for a century in the Public Square of Easton, was built in 1764. 

The Justices of the Supreme Court of the State held Assizes, or Courts of Nisi Prius, 
at Easton, between the years 1786 and 1799. See i Yeates' Reports, pp. 92, 162, 
570 ; 2 lb., p. 243 ; 3 lb., p. 23 ; 4 lb., p. 69. After 1799 Circuit Courts were substitu- 
ted for the Courts of Nisi Prius, and the cases reported are so entitled. These courts, 
first by two judges, afterwards by one, were held at Newtown, Easton, Chester, Lancaster, 
Chambersburg, Bedford, Uniontown, Harrisburg, and Sunbury, so that the labors of the 
judges must have been great. The names of the ablest lawyers of the Philadelphia, 
Bucks, and Easton bars appear as counsel in the cases above referred to. Ingersoll, Read, 
Smith, Thomas, and John Ross ; Biddle, Tilghman, Hopkins, and Samuel Sitgreaves. 
Messrs. Tilghman and John Ross were afterwards Judges of the Supreme Court of the 
State for many years. In those days the judges and lawyers traveled from one county to 
another, often on horseback. Cases were tried, with very few references to law books, 
and these were mainly published in England. The Pennsylvania statutes, with a few 
reports, made up the libraries of lawyers in those days. And yet those who read the 
early reports of this State, especially those of Yeates, Dallas, and Binney, cannot fail to 
remark the ability and research e.xhibited by counsel, and the depth, solidity, and wisdom 
of the judges, as displayed in their opinions. 

As already stated, Northampton county, when organized, extended from Bucks county 
to the line of New York State. When, in the course of time, new counties were erecfted 
from its territory, the records of Northampton were the evidence of title to lands acquired 



4IO Till-: HI STORY OF 

within its former boundaries. Hence, it resulted, that the attorneys of the Northampton 
bar continued to practice in the new counties. Indeed, within the last thirty years, it 
was customary for the older attorneys regularly to attend the courts of Lehigh, Carbon, 
Monroe, Pike, and Wayne counties. 

The bar of Northampton county from the first, has been justly celebrated for the 
learning, zeal, and ability, which has chara(5lerized its members. The sketch of the life 
of Samuel Sitgreaves, already given in this history, shows the career of one of them. In 
later years, others, from this bar, have been chosen as Judges, Governors, Senators, Mem- 
bers of Congress, and of the Presidential Cabinet, Ministers to Foreign countries, and 
Consuls. Hopewell Hepburn was appointed Judge of Allegheny county ; Joel Jones was 
chosen by Governor Wolf as one of the Revisers of the Civil Code of Pennsylvania, and 
afterwards became one of the Judges of the Distridl Court of Philadelphia, President of 
Girard College, and Mayor of that City. James M. Porter was a member of the Legisla- 
ture, twice a President Judge, and Secretary of War in President Tyler's Cabinet. George 
Wolf was a member of Congress for three terms. Governor of Pennsylvania for two terms, 
First Controller of the United States Treasury, and afterwards Colle6lor of the Port of 
Philadelphia. Richard Brodhead was a member of Congress for three terms, and a Sen- 
ator of the United States for six years. Peter Ihrie was twice elected to Congress. Philip 
Johnson and William Mutchler had each three terms, and the latter is eledled for another 
term. Washington McCartney was President Judge of this judicial distridl. He was not 
only an able judge, but he was a learned professor, a great mathematician and a scholar 
of wonderful attainments in other sciences, as well as in general history. The sketch of 
the life of Andrew H. Reeder, given in this history, will show his public career. Henry 
D. Maxwell was Consul to Trieste, and afterwards President Judge of this judicial dis- 
trict. Henry Green is now one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 
and William S. Kirkpatrick, the Attorney General. James M. Porter, Alexander E. 
Brown, Philip Johnson, Lewis H. Stout, and Pennel C. Evans, (living) served as members 
of the State Legislature, each two terms. Samuel Sitgreaves was elected a member of 
the State Constitutional Convention of 1790 ; James M. Porter of the Convention of 1838, 
and Henry Green and Charles Brodhead of the last Convention of 1872-3. Other officers 
of trust and responsibility have been worthily filled by members of the bar of this county. 
Two of them, W. W. Schuyler and Howard J. Reeder, are now the Judges of our Courts. 
Very few, if any, bars, outside of the large cities, can show a record of such distinguished 
.service, in so many departments. Easton has been represented in twenty-two Congresses, 
since the inauguration of Washington, and will again be, in the next Congress. All of 
the Representatives, save two, have been members of this bar. The following summary 
of service is here given : 

Richard Brodhead, United States Senator, from 1851 to 1S57. 

Samuel Sitgreaves, House of Representatives 4th and 5th Congresses. 

Thomas Rogers, " " 15th, 16th, 17th and iSth " 

Peter Ihrie, " " 21st and 22d " 

David D. Wagener, " " 23d, 24th, 25th and 26th " 

Richard Brodhead, " " 28th, 29th and 30th " 

Philip Johnson, " " 37th, 38th and 39th " 

William Mutchler, " " 44th, 46th and 47th " 

and member eletl to the 51st Congress. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 411 

Easton has thus been represented at Washington for six years in the Senate of the 
Ihiited States, and forty-four years in the House of Representatives since the inaugura- 
tion of President Washington, and will have a further representation in the next Con- 
gress. Such a record is, in itself, a noble encomium, testifying of the ability, chara6ler 
and learning of Easton's sons by birth and adoption, in the past and present, more clearly 
than could pages of eulogy. 

The Justices under the Proprietary and Colonial Government from 1752 to 1776 were 
Thomas Craig, Hugh Wilson, Timothy Horsefield, James Martin, Louis Klotz, Thomas 
Armstrong, Conrad Hass, Charles Swayne, William Craig, Daniel Brodhead, Aaron Depui, 
and John Van Etten, appointed in 1752. Peter Trexler, John Everett, and John Atkins, 
were appointed, probably to fill vacancies, in 1753. The following gentlemen, were for 
the same purpose, seledrled in the years named : Allen Depui in 1755 ; William Parsons 
in 1756 ; William Plumstead in 1758 ; Jacob Arndt, Henry Geiger, and Robert Lyle in 
1 761 ; John Moore in 1762 ; James Allen in 1764 ; Christopher Wagener and John Jen- 
nings in 1765 ; George Taylor, Henry Kochen, James Gaston, and Charles Stewart in 
1766 ; John Van Campen and Garret Broadhead in 1770 ; Robert Levers in 1773 ; Peter 
Kachlein, Lewis Nichola, Jacob Lerch, John Wetzel, James Morry, Felix Lynn, and Isaac 
Lerch in 1774, and John Okely and Nicholas Depui. The court docket was changed from 
King George HL, to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in June, 1776, about one month 
before the Declaration of Independence. As stated on page 124 of this history, the North- 
ampton County Committee of Safety had been previously organized December 21, 1774. 
The record of the proceedings of that committee show the exercise, by the committee, of 
civil and criminal jurisdiction during the years 1776 and 1777. In the latter year was 
held in June, the first court under the Commonwealth, before the following Justices : 
John Arndt, Thomas Silliman, Thomas Hartman, Benjamin Depui, Samuel Rea, William 
McNair, Louis Stecker, Frederick Leinbach, Peter Moyer, Matthias Probst, Jacob Hor- 
ner, Jacob Morey, James Van Aken, and Peter Moyer. In 1778, Nicholas Depui was 
appointed ; in 1779, Peter Moyer, Abraham Berlin, James Byles, and Peter Kohler ; in 
1780, Benjamin Horner; in 1784, Peter Rhoads and John Byles; in 1786, Enos Beer, 
George Breining, Jacob Rosecrans, Peter Conrad, Benjamin Van Campen ; in 1787, Peter 
Kachlein ; in 1788, Christopher Wagener and William Henry ; in 1789, Jacob Able and 
Ludwig Stehler ; in 1790, William Jackson, John Shaw, William Wills, and Ezekiel 
Schoonover. 

These appointments were made under the Constitution of 1776. It was found defec- 
tive and inadequate ; therefore a convention was called, of which Samuel Sitgreaves was 
a member, and a new Constitution formed in 1790. Under this Constitution Jacob Rush 
was appointed President Judge, who held the office till 1806. His successors were John 
Spayd ; in 1809, Robert Porter, who held office for twenty-one years ; 1831, Garrick Mal- 
lery ; in 1836, John Banks ; in 1847, J. Pringle Jones ; in 1852, Judges having been made 
eledlive, Washington McCartney ; in 1856, Henry D. Maxwell ; in 1858, John K. Find- 
ley ; in 1862, again, H. D. Maxwell ; in 1863, John W. IMaynard ; in 1868, J. Pringle 
Jones ; in 1869, A. Brower Longaker ; in 1874, W. S. Kirkpatrick ; in 1875, Oliver H. 
Meyers; in 1885, Howard J. Reeder. 

An A(?t authorizing an Additional Law Judge had been passed in 18S1. Under it 
Howard J. Reeder was appointed, and W. W. Schuyler eletled, in the fall of 1S82. In 



412 THE HISTORY OF 

1884, Howard J. Reeder was elec^led Judge, under tlie uew Constitution of 1873. The 
name President Judge, after nearly one liundred years of use, disappears from our history. 
From seniority of tenure, W. W. Schuyler was commissioned as Judge and H. J. Reeder 
as Additional Law Judge, who compose the present court. 

The office of Associate Judge has been held by so many prominent citizens of Easton 
that a brief reference is here given to that office and its incumbents. 

Under the Constitution of 1790, the Governor was empowered to appoint, in each 
county, not fewer than three nor more than four Judges, who were to reside therein, and 
hold office during good behavior. The State was to be divided into circuits, to include 
not more than six nor fewer than three counties. A President Judge was also to be 
appointed for each distri(?t, with the same life tenure of office. This reference is made to 
explain the long terms of service, hereafter mentioned. 

The first (Associate) Judges were Peter Rhodes, William Henry, David Wagener, 
and John Mulhallon, appointed in 1791. In 1796, David Wagener was succeeded by Robert 
Traill. In 1799, John Cooper became the successor of Robert Traill. In 1802, Daniel 
Wagener followed John Mulhallon. Judge Cooper held the office for the long term of 
forty years, until 1839, when he was succeeded by Samuel Yohe. Judge Daniel Wagener 
held office for thirty-seven years, until 1839, when he was succeeded by George Hess, Jr. 
From 1806 to 1812 the Judges were Peter Rhodes, John Cooper, Daniel Wagener, and 
William Henry. 

The county of Lehigh was erecfted out of Northampton, by A61 March 6, 1812, which 
authorized the appointment of two Judges residing within its limits. From that time 
Northampton had but two Judges, beside the President Judge of the district, who lived 
at Easton during his term. 

In 1844, James Kennedy succeeded Samuel Yohe. In 1849, John H. Keller followed 
Judge Kennedy. In 1850, Jacob Weygandt succeeded George Hess. In 185 1, Isaac C. 
Wikoff followed Judge Weygandt. Under the Acft of April 15, 1851, the Judges of the 
Supreme Court and of the Court of Common Pleas became elec?tive. At the ensuing 
eledlion Washington McCartney was eledled President, and William L. Sebring and James 
Kennedy, Associate Judges. In 1856, George W. Stein succeeded Judge Sebring. In 
1861, Joseph Laubach and Richard N. Merrill were elecfted in the place of Judges Ken- 
nedy and Stein. In 1871, Judge Laubach was re-eledled and Josiah Cole eledled for the 
term of five years. They were the last of their race in old Northampton ; for, under the 
Constitution of 1873, the office of Associate Judge, not learned in the law, was abolished 
in counties forming separate distridls, of which Northampton county was one. It had 
survived its usefulness and was properly abrogated. 

EARLY MEMBERS OF THE BENCH AND BAR OF EASTON. 

As Easton was to be the seat of justice for the new county, lawyers would turn their 
attention to the new community where their services would be demanded. The first ses- 
sion of the Court opened in Easton, June 16, 1752. At this first meeting of the Court, 
Louis Gordon was present and stated that he was an attorney of the bar in Bucks county, 
and desired to be admitted to the bar in Northampton county. His prayer was granted 
and he became the first lawyer in Easton. "James Biddle, afterwards Judge Riddle, was 
the second lawyer. He was admitted to the bar of Northampton county, 0(ftober, 1752. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 413 

He was the King's Attorney at the organization of the county. William Parsons was 
Prothonotary. Judge Porter says these three gentlemen may be looked upon as the fathers 
of the Northampton County Bar." Robert Traill came to this country in 1763 ; for many 
years pradliced law, and also occupied the position of Judge. "John Ross came to this 
county, and was admitted to the bar, about the year 1782. He occupied a prominent 
position in his profession until 1818, when he was made President Judge of the Seventh 
Judicial Distric^t, which position he filled for twelve years. Then Governor Wolf appointed 
him Judge of the Supreme Court, which position he held till the time of his death. He 
held the office of Register, and Recorder, and Prosecuting Attorney, and member of the 
Legislature from this county. For a number of years he represented this distridl in Con- 
gress." Samuel Sitgreaves came to Easton from Philadelphia, and became the leader of 
the bar. "Thomas B. Dick was a member of the Easton bar, and Judge Porter tells us 
he was quite a wit and wag, and used to give President Judge Rush a good deal of trouble 
with his pranks." George Wolf was a member of the Easton bar ; his history will be 
found in connexion with the history of the schools. "Among the members of the bar, 
who for their years obtained considerable celebrity, were Robert May Brooke and Evan 
Rees. The former of these was perhaps as sound a lawyer and as accurate a philologist 
as there was in Pennsylvania. He was one of the finest Latin and Greek scholars of his 
day, and had studied law so as to thoroughly understand his profession, in which his suc- 
cess for his years was extraordinary. He was cut off in the prime of his life. Evan Rees 
was a man of as much mind as Daniel Webster and loved law as a science. He would 
prefer reading Fearne on Executory Devises and Contingent Remainders to the most enter- 
taining novels. Shortly after his admission to the bar, he broke a blood vessel which 
paralyzed his exertions, and he soon went to the grave." Among those who visited the 
Easton bar was Joseph Hopkinson, the author of " Hail Columbia." His history belongs 
to his country. He was distinguished as a poet, an orator, a statesman and a jurist. He 
was a man of singular power before a jury. His earnestness in his oratory gave evidence 
of his honesty, and his powers were always great and effective. He was a very fluent man 
and a fine scholar. The composition of this one national hymn has made his name im- 
mortal. Judge Daniel Wagner, the son of David Wagner of Germany, was born in 
Bucks County, and came to Easton when quite young. He was Associate Judge of North- 
ampton County for thirty-seven years. Judge John Cooper was born at Long Hill, Morris 
Countv, N. J. His father gave his children the advantages of as good an education as 
could be obtained at that time. In November, 1794, he removed to Easton where he 
spent the remainder of his days. In 1799, he was appointed Judge of the Common Pleas 
which office he held continuously for forty years. He held the office the longest term of 
any in the history of the Northampton Court. 

HON. ANDREW H. REEDER, 
Is a name which stands high in the annals of the Republic, and shines brightly upon the roll of Easton's noble dead. 
The family is of English origin. John Reeder emigrated to this country before 1656, and settled at Newton, L. I. 
His name is found in that year on the list of town residents. His son John came to Ewing, N. J., in the early part of 
the eighteenth century, and married Hannah, daughter of Jeremiah Burroughs, by whom he had a son Isaac, whose 
name is signed to an agreement, August 26, 1703. Isaac purchased of Zebulon Heston the farm on which he after- 
wards lived, and which still remains in the possession of his lineal descendants. Isaac was twice married, the second 
wife was Joanna Hunt, and by her he had a son John, who married Miss Hanna Mershon. Among the children born 
of this marriage was Absalom Reeder, who married October 16, 17SS, Christiana Smith, of Easton, Pa., where he then 
resided. Of this marriage was born .Andrew Horatio Reeder. July 12. 1S07. He received the rudiments of a common 



414 



THE HISTORY OF 



school education, siicli as was attainable in the place of his birth. He completed his education at Lawrenceville, N. 
J., and graduated with honor. Having selefled the law as his profession he entered the law office of Hon. Peter 
Ihrie, then one of the prominent lawyers of Easton. He was admitted to the bar of this county in 1828. In 1831 he 
was married to Miss Amelia Butter, daughter of Christian J. Hutter: Mr. Reeder soon became prominent as a lawyer 
and ready speaker. He was industrious, ambitious, persevering, and rapidly rose in the public esteem as one of the 
leading advocates at the bar of Northampton county. From his early life he took great interest in the political affairs 
of his country, and possessed with a good voice and pleasing address and strong argumentative powers, he became 
aftively engaged in politics, and was looked upon as one of the champions of the Democracy of the Jefferson school. 
He was a man of stern integrity, real virtue, and unflinching courage. Having attained to this high elevation in pub- 
lic esteem, without any effort or even knowl- 
edge on his part, he was offered the position 
of Governor of Kansas. By this appoint- 
ment he became protninent in one of the 
most important political crises in the history 
of the Republic. And by his upright con- 
duft.and faithfulness to the liberties of those 
whom he was sent to govern, he had acquired 
political immorality. The people of Kansas 
were divided into two parties, each party 
was terribly in earnest. The one deter- 
mined to establish slavery, the other to estab- 
lish freedom in the territory. The people 
rushed from New England, two thousand 
miles, through intervening States to make 
their home on those distant and beautiful 
plains. Liberty was swift-footed, by num- 
bers Kansas was already free. But from tiie 
borders of Missouri came a horde of marau- 
ders, armed with revolvers and rifles. At 
the first eledlion they took possession of the 
poles, kept back the free state voters, eledfed 
a legislature by fraud and violence. A com- 
mittee came to Governor Reeder and asked 
him to sign the certificates of those claiming 
to be elected members of the territorial leg- 
islature. He courteously, but decidedly 
refused. " Governor Reeder, "said the com- 
mittee, "we will give you fifteen minutes to 
sign these certificates, resign, or be hanged." 
"Gentleman, I need no fifteen minutes, iny 
mhid is made up, I shall hang," was the 
stern reply. Governor Reeder had worked 
too long and too hard for his reputation to 
have it blasted by the dash of his pen. The 
boldness of his answer saved him for the 
time from violence. A congressional com- 
mittee arrived in Kansas, consisting of 
Messrs. Howard, Sherman and Oliver, to 
examine into the condition of afiairs. The 
committee called the Governor to the stand 
and he gave them to understand the situa- 
tion, and fearlessly exposed the conduft of 
the border ruffians. Governor Reeder had been superceded by ex-Governor Shannon, of Ohio, who plainly told the 
people of Kansas, in an address on his arrival, that he was in favor of slavery in the new State. This enraged the 
free state men, and they repudiated VVhitefield as their delegate in Congress, so fraudulently elected, and elected 
Reeder in his stead. There were two delegates eletted to Congress. The pro-slavery men saw this would necessitate 
a contest in the House, which they wished to avoid. And they thought the best way to prevent their contest in Con- 
gress was to put Reeder out of the way, and hence he was marked for death. While the committee was present, his 
friends protected him, but it soon became evident they could proteft him no longer, and it was thought advisable for 
him to seek his own safety. Colonel Buford, of Alabama, came up to Kansas City and thence to Lawrence with a 




Gov. Andrew H. Reeder, 
In his Disguise as a Wood Cliopper. 



EASTON, PENN'A. 415 

regiment of well armed " roughs " which he had recruited in South Carolina, with the avowed purpose of aiding the 
Missourians in making Kansas a slave state. They encamped close at hand and watched their game. That night 
Governor Reeder left Lawrence and went rapidly to Kansas City, arriving there at three o'clock in the morning. It 
was known in Buford's camp early in the morning that the Governor was gone. Enraged and chagrined the hounds 
were let loose ; roads were picketed, wagons overhauled, steamboats were searched, and every precaution taken to 
prevent the escape of the game. While the guests were at dinner at the hotel in Kansas City some of Buford's men 
entered the house. Their sudden appearance brought every one to his feet. They were confronted by Colonel Eld- 
ridge, the proprietor, demanding their business. They replied that they came to search the house for Reeder. The 
proprietor called for their authority. They replied they had no papers only an order from "headquarters." 
Col. Eldridge replied, " I will not resist any legal process, but you cannot search this house without it unless you walk 
over the dead body of every man in it." This was promptly agreed to by the guests. They swore they would get the 
authority and make the search. Governor Reeder was concealed in the hotel for two weeks ; they were weeks of 
anxious care and watching on the part of his friends. There were always sick people up stairs to whom meals were 
carried, but the Governor's appetite was always appeased. After the sacking of Lawrence and burning of the Free 
State Hotel the "ruffians" returned to Kansas City. They had suspicions that the Governor was concealed in the 
house. The inmates were prepared for action. The danger was increasing, and the hours seemed long. Through a 
strange providence a steamer lay at the wharf discharging her cargo. It was whispered by a friend that the captain 
was a "free state man." He was going up the river and would return on a certain day. Light began to break in 
upon the soul of the hunted hero. The matter was arranged with the captain to stop on the way down at a certain 
place and take in a passenger ; the signal was understood. But how was the Governor to get away from the hotel to the 
place of embarkation? The hotel was watched, every person emerging from the hall-way was closely scanned. The 
plan was formed for the Governor to pass out of the hotel into the streets in disguise. The next day was the day to 
start. Only one more night in Kansas City. These long hours were anxious, sleepless hours. The account from 
which the writer has thus far gleaned these facts was written by a lady who was an eye witness and an anxious parti- 
cipant in the preparation for the final moment. I now give her words. " The morning dawned bright and beautiful. 
This day was to be a decisive one for weal or woe for the Governor, and as the hour approached our anxiety and 
excitement rose up to fever heat. The time was close at hand when Governor Reeder was to pass out from us, with 
the chances that he should ever return greatly against him. After he had dressed himself in his disguise we all met 
in his room to bid him a last farewell. The disguise was complete and turned our sorrow at parting to suppressed 
mirth. The Governor was cheerful, and even anxious to cast the die. He gave us a specimen of acting in his new 
role which beggars description, and held us for the time in capital humor ; but at the last moment, when he left his 
room, not a dry eye was in the party. The door was closed behind us, and the Governor left to his own reflexions 
and his own self-reliance. That evening just before dark an Irishman was seen to enter the office of the hotel, dressed 
in a slouch hat, hickory shirt, blue overalls, so short as to expose a heavy pair of brogan shoes on his feet, carrying an 
axe on his shoulder, and smoking a short clay pipe. He stopped but a moment, inquired for work, any wood to cut, 
or if he could be informed where he could get work. Not getting a satisfactory answer he sauntered out on the side- 
walk and repealed the inquiry of the bystanders, then moved off up the river and disappeared behind the bluff. 
At eleven o'clock that night Edward S. Eldridge, a young brother of the landlord of the hotel, accompanied by his 
wife, strolled out for a walk, going up the river around the point of the bluff. Nearing the mouth of a cave they 
encountered the Irishman holding his axe in the attitude of attack. Eldridge called out to him not to strike, with 
that he dropped his weapon and approached. They knew each other. After a moment of hasty conversation the trio 
went down to the water's edge, got into a boat and floated quietly down the stream to Randolph Landing, about five 
miles below the city. The steamer which was expected to take Governor Reeder down the river was to return this 
night, but did not reach Kansas City until near noon the following day. The captain stood by the side of the pilot as 
she gracefully curved her way out into the stream, pawing the muddy water with her side wheels in very anxiety to 
be on her way. Near Randolph Landing the captain ordered the pilot to 'round her to.' The pilot could see no 
signal, but the captain insisted that one had been made. On nearing the landing our Irishman inquired 'if he 
could get a deck passage to St. Charles?' The captain cursed him for delaying his boat, but said, ' get aboard, you 
old scallawag, I won't wait two minutes for you.' He threw his axe ahead of him and clambered on board, and 
Governor Reeder had escaped from Kansas, ' out of the jaws of death, out of the gates of hell.' " We have thus fol- 
lowed the fugitive governor, flying from murderous demons, till he is on the steamer sailing down the Kansas River. 
The diary which the Governor kept from the time the clouds began to gather over his pathway, reveals the feelings 
of a loving husband and father. During his concealment in Kansas City, he had many lonely hours, during which his 
mind would recur to the "Idolized wife and precious, dearly loved children." In another place we read "W'ere it 
not for the loved ones at home, I would show those blood hounds how an honest man can die. But when I 
think of those dear ones at home, my throat chokes and my eyes fill with tears." He could hear the whistles of the 
river steamboats, and for many hours as each successive one passed he hoped to hear his friends say, " Come, Gov- 
ernor, the boat is ready." But he seemed like Tantalus. He could see his bloodthirsty pursuers, hear their yells, 
and bitter curses heaped on his aching head. Every hour brought the danger nearer. On the 19th of May he wrote 
in his diary: " For the first time I begin to despond. I think constantly of my dear wife and Ida. They will be 



4i6 THE HISTORY OF 

worked up to the highest pitch of excitement at the uncertainty of my fate." The feeling of doubt grew deeper in 
the mind of tliis faithful officer, deserted by the man who placed him in danger. Looking in the pocket of the diary, 
we find a carefully written will which was left in the hands of a friend before he went out of his hotel "to look for 
work." What emotions struggled in the soul as Reeder elbowed his way through the office of the hotel, crowded by 
those who were preparing to search the house and take his life, he has never told us, they were too intricate for the 
pen. The bowie knives sticking in their belts, revolvers protruding from their pockets, the disposition of devils lurk- 
ing in every lineament of their features, told him too plainly his fate if he should be recognized. As many gaping 
wounds as were counted on the dead body of Ca;sar would end his life. He must att his part well, he must play the Irish- 
man so well that keen, Argus eyes could not detett him, while he drives down the feelings of husband and father deep 
into his own soul, and keeps them under control by his imperious will. But recurring again to our Irish friend on the 
steamer wending her way down the Missouri River. He did not dare to go to St. Louis, fearing a slave holder's war- 
rant. He could leave this steamer and step into one bound for Alton, but the Briarian arms of the deadly pursuers 
might meet him there. The steamer laid up for the night at St. Charles, a city above St. Louis on the left bank of the 
river. It was planned to have him leave the vessel, and enter the dark woods and seek his own safety. Two friends 
would go with him. " But, to my amazement, two of the deck hands were at the guards watching. My compan- 
ions were not armed. I had two revolvers and a knife, I supplied them, we were prepared to fight it out if need be. 
A violent thunder storm came up, and we started. We struck through the woods, lost the road twice, traveled on, and 
at S o'clock, A.M., struck the Mississippi River fifteen miles above Alton." He hired a man to take him across the river 
in a skiff; on the 27th of May he was in Illinois ; he was in a Free State, and " Richard was himself again." The 
lightning, on subtle wing, had brought the joyful news to that " idolized noble wife," to " Ida and the boys." There 
was a happy home in Easton before the husband and father came. May 29th, " put on my disguise in the private 
room of the photographer, and had photograph taken for my dear wife." He wrent to Chicago, Bloomington and 
Detroit, raising his voice in trumpet tones for aid for Kansas. He plead for 10,000 men to go and take care of Kansas. 
Thousands were soon on the way, and when at length a fair vote could be had, slavery was buried under a majority 
of 10,000, and Kansas was free. He returned to Easton, and in the quiet of private life spent the remainder of his 
days. 

HON. RICHARD BRODHEAD, 
Was for many years a prominent member of the Northampton Bar. He died in 1863, and on the iSth of September 
the members of the bar met in the office of A. E. Brown, Esq., and adopted resolutions e-xpressing the feelings of the 
community and of themselves. Upon offering the resolutions, Matthew Hale Jones, Esq., spoke affeftionately of the 
dead senator. They were students together at law and associated in its praftice. He came to Easton in 1830, and 
entered the office of Judge Porter, and was afterwards admitted to the bar. Not having a taste for the praftice of the 
law, he turned his attention to politics. He was elefted a member of the Legislature, he was ne.xt eleded to Congress 
from this district, for two terms. He was then sent to the Senate of the United States, by the Legislature of Pennsylva- 
nia. His private character was good, and his public character without reproach. He was kind and unostentatious, 
whether at home or abroad, at the bar or in private life. It was a virtue of Mr. Brodhead that he never lost his self- 
possession, even in the most trying circumstances. The meeting was addressed by Hon. H. D. Maxwell and O. H. 
Meyers, Esq. Each of these gentleman spoke in words expressive of the highest regard. 

ALEXANDER E. BROWN, 
Was for forty-two years a member of the Northampton county bar, and a resident of Easton. He was born in 
New York city. His father was a sea captain, and both his parents were people of culture and took pains in 
his education and training. There were three children, one daughter and two sons. The daughter died quite 
young. John, the brother of Alexander, became a prominent lawyer and an orator, pracfliced his profession in 
Morristown, N. J., and died there. The subjecft of this sketch was admitted to the bar in Easton, August 24, 
1825. He is remembered as a gentleman of easy manners and pleasing address, affable to all with whom he 
came in contaift. He would be polite to the poor as he would with the rich, be social with a colored man as 
readily as with the white. Mr. Brown was one of the most popular men in the history of the bar. He was a 
ready and fine speaker, and quite an orator. He was quick to see a weak spot in his opponents' argument and 
strike it with his lance. He was ready with his wit when occasion required it, as will be seen by the following : 
He was called to plead a case in Allentown. A house had been sold by the sheriff in an unfinished condition, 
the carpenter had nailed his benches to the studding inside the building. When the carpenter came for the 
benches the purchaser refused to let him have them, saying they were fast and a part of the building. The 
carpenter brought suit and employed Mr. Brown. In his plea Mr. Brown said : "He was at a loss to know 
what a carpenter's bench had to do with a gentleman's parlor." "Why," said he, "we have an old court crier in 
Easton named Jakie Diehl. He fell asleep one day sitting in his chair which was fast to the floor. Some 
heartless wag placed a cake of shoemaker's wax under him, it had melted, and when he awoke and attempted 
to rise he found he was fast. Now, if the Court House had been sold at that moment, poor Jakie Diehl would 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 417 

have gone with it." He won. Mr. Brown died in Easton, in May, 1867. His poem on the new Court House 
(published elsewhere) is a fine parody on the " House that Jack Built." The following />a//irf/V poem, a parody 
on Woodworth's " Oaken Bucket," is still remembered by many people of Easton. Those who remember the 
the scenes he so graphically describes, still laugh as they recall the lines : 

THE OLD COURT HOUSE. 

How dear to my heart is Northampton's old Court House, 

And the scenes which fond memory brings up to my view, 
The Ash-heap, the Mudholes, and all the loose bo.xes, 

And the angles that loafers made odorous too. 
The circular railing, the iron-bound paling, 

And grove of horse chestnuts, so graceful and rare. 
Where fanciful Crinoline nightly was trailing 

Around the old Court House that stood in the Square. 
The eight-cornered Court House, the four-gabled Court House, 
The bill-plastered Court House that stood in the Square. 

O! there was the hydrant, and box that stood by it, 

Where topers oft staggered their "coppers " to cool. 
The door of the dark narrow entry was nigh it, 

That led to the bar, and the penitent's stool. 
The low ceiling court room, its cobwebs and paper 

In long graceful festoons, hung quietly there ; 
The Bar and the Bench, and the stove and its vapor, 

And back of the Jury bo.\, Mahlon's old chair. 

In the eight-cornered Court House, the four-gabled Court House, 
The bill-plastered Court House, that stood in the Square. 

Oh ! how shall I ever forget the old breastwork. 

Which blocked up two streets, from the travel and view, 
Its black-garnished gables, and time-honored belfry, 

And all its old windows, and its weathercock too. 
In vain you may tell me, of West Ward's fine temple, 

Or Green Lane's inducement to promenade there. 
My fancy reverts to the scenes of the "Circle," 

And the dear shabby Court House, that stood in the Square. 
The eight-cornered Court House, the four-gabled Court House, 
The bill-plastered Court House, that stood in the Square. 

No, no, the old Court House, I ne'er shall forget it 

For that costly jewel on top of the hill ; 
The county already has cause to regret it. 

And the taxpayers' pockets most certainly will. 
The Lawyers, and Judges, and Jury were puzzled 

To hear what a witness, or others would say. 
And those awful bad steps, leading down to the Major's, 

Some night, for a Coroner loudly will pray. 

The four-cornered Court House, the six-columned Court House, 
That cost eighty thousand round dollars "they say." 

HON. JAMES MADISON PORTER, LL. D. 

James M. Porter was born in Selma, one mile north of Norristown, Pa., January 6, 1793. His father was General 
Andrew Porter, an officer in the Army of Washington. James was the youngest son and received the rudiments of 
his education under the immediate care of his parents. He assisted his father in the land office of the State, as he 
held the office of Surveyor General. In 1818, the position of Deputy Attorney General of Northampton County was 
offered him. He accepted the position and removed to Easton. At the death of Samuel Sitgreaves, and election of 
George Wolf, he became the leader of the bar. In 1838, he was elected a member of the convention to reform the 
Constitution of Pennsylvania. He was a candidate for the presiding officer of the convention. The Whigs and Anti- 
masons had a majority of one, and Hon. John Sergeant was elefled by that vote. In 1843, he was appointed Secre- 
tary of War which position hefilled to the entire acceptance of all members of the army with whom he came in contart. 



41^ 



THE HISTORY OF 



But wlit-n llie Senate nut, liis nomination was rejefted by a party vote, and he returned to Easton. In the fall of 1S41J, 
he was eU-cted a member of the Legislature. In 1.S53, he was elected President Judge of the Twenty-second Judicial 
District, composed of the counties of Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Carbon. He was a warm friend of Lafayette College, 
and was for twenty-four years a teacher without remuneration. He was for twenty-five years President of the Board 
of Trustees, and performed all the duties without pay. He was President of the Delaware Bridge Company, the Belvi- 
dere and Delaware Railroad, and Lehigh Valley Railroad. In 1S43, he received the degree of LL. D. from Marshall 
College, the only degree he ever received. 

HON. WASHINGTON McCARTNEY, LL. D., 
Was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvanian, on the 24th day of August, 1812. He was left an orphan when 
still in his childhood, and much of his future success in life depended upon his own feeble efforts. He attended the 
common schools until he was eighteen years of age. 

In 1S34 he graduated with high honors at Jefl'erson College, at Cannonsburg, Pa., and was appointed Professor of 
Mathematics in Lafayette College, at Easton, Pa., in 1835. Here he continued until 1836, when the faculty of his 
Alma Mater called him back, and he returned then to accept the Professorship of Mathematics and Modern Langua- 
ges, at Jefl'erson College. He remained there about one year, fulfilling the duties of that position with great satisfac- 
tion to faculty and students, when he again returned to home at 
Easton, and resumed the Professorship in Lafayette College. 
Here he remained until September, 1843, when he resigned, and 
applied himself to his professional duties, in which he was success- 
ful and popular. In September, 1844, he was again appointed to 
the same Professorship, in which he remained until 1846, when he 
again resigned. In 1849 he was appointed Professor of Mental 
and Moral Philosophy, which position he held for several years. 

Having applied himself diligently to the study of law, which lie 
had chosen as his profession, he was admitted to the Bar of North- 
ampton county, in January, 1S3S, and continued in the practice 
most of his life, with but few interruptions, caused by different 
calls to official duties. During the years 1S46, 1847 and 184S, he 
served as Deputy Attorney General of this county, for which his 
legal talent, his clear judgment, and moral integrity eminently 
fitted him. After his term of oflSce e.xpired, his power as a jurist, 
and his clear, honest judgment having become a matter of general 
comment, and the amended Constitution having become a law, 
under which the appointment of judges was left to the votes of the 
people, he was nominated and elected President Judge of the 
Third Judicial District in 1851. 

Prior to this period of his life, however, he had established a 
Law School, in which he prepared young men for the profession 
and practice of law, in which many of the legal minds which after- 
wards reflected credit on the Bar of our county, were formed and 
moulded for the work before them. In this enterprise he took 
great interest and pride, watching the development of the mental 
powers of his pupils with the same pleasure, as the enthusiastic 
gardener or naturalist experiences in watching the germing and 
unfolding of leaves and blossoms of a new and rare e.\otic. It became a success, accomplishing so much good, that 
in the year 1854, by special act of the legislature it was duly incorporated under the name of the " Union Law School." 
This school was kept in successful operation to the time of his death. In 1852 the honorary degree of LL. D. was 
most worthily conferred on him by Marshall College. 

In April, 1839, he was married to Mary E. Ma.xwell, daughter of the late William Maxwell, Esq., of New Jersey, 
with whose life, honest and patriotic, the local historian is familiar. 

Judge McCartney was one of the most influential agents in the establishment and support of our present excellent 
public schools. While Governor Wolf was the pioneer in the first movement for the introduction of free schools in our 
community, and will be remembered as long as our children reap the benefits of a free education, still those who so 
faithfully carried on and advanced the work, when the old Governor had retired from the stage of aftion, must be 
credited with the present results of so grand a projeft. The excellent High School, now accomplishing so much good 
for our young men and women, was perhaps created by him or his influence more than by any other. In April, 1850, 
an ACl of Assembly was passed authorizing the creation of a High School in Easton. Mr. McCartney, then an adfive 
member of the Board of School Direftors, lent all his energies to effeCt the passage of this aCl, and to him mainly was 
its succe.ss attributed. He was an nullior of rare ability. In 1SS4 be published a work upon "Differential Calculus," 




Washington McCartney, LL. D. 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 419 

which was adopted as a text-book in many of our best colleges in the land, and met with almost universal favor among 
mathematical scholars. In 1S47 he published a " History of the Origin and Progress of the United States, " which was 
received by the learned, and endorsed by the press, as the best work upon the subject ever emanating from our press. 

As a lawyer he was equalled by few in his great knowledge of all professional lore ; cultured, refined, dignified, 
yet generous and unassuming, he was not only honored, but loved by all. In every good work, aiming at the good of 
the community or individuals, he was interested. Where a leader was needed in reformatory matters, he was 
engaged. Every moral or benevolent enterprise found in him a champion. 

Asa citizen he was kind, corteous, afiTable. Tender-hearted almost to a fault, want or suffering never appealed to 
him in vain. God-fearing and man-loving, he ever seemed to feel a deep consciousness of duty towards all. 

In July, 1856, he died ; died as he lived, calmly, peacefully, with the favor of his God, and the love of his fellow- 
men crowning his pale forehead with a halo of glory. The whole community mourned his loss, for he belonged to 
them all. The Judges of the Court, the members of the Bar, members of Council and School Board, teachers and 
scholars of the High School, faculty and students of Lafayette College, law students, members of beneficial societies, 
and a large concourse of people, men, women and children, followed all that was left of Judge McCartney, the friend 
of them all, to his last earthly home in the cemetery, where he sleeps to-day, still remembered by those that knew him 
then, as well as by those whom he benefited by his deeds, though never seen by themselves. 

HON. HENRY D. MAXWELL 
Was born in Flemington, N. J., December 5, 1812. He was prepared to enter college at fifteen years of age, but the 
death 01 his father compelled him to relinquish his cherished design, and bend his energies to aid in supporting his 
mother and a large family of children. He spent nearly two years in teaching in Pennsylvania, and then returned to 
Flemington, and commenced the study of law under Nathaniel Sa.\tun, Esq. He then went to SomerviUe, and con- 
tinued his studies with Thomas A. Hartwell, Esq., and completed his studies with his cousin, Hon. John P. B. Ma,\well, 
at Belvidere. He was admitted to the bar of Northampton, Pa., November 7, 1S34, and opened his office in Easton in 
1835. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in December, 1836, and to the Supreme Court of the 
United States in 1841. Shortly after he opened his office in Easton, he associated himself in partnership with the Hon. 
James M. Porter, and continued in that connexion for several years. In 1848 he was appointed Deputy Attorney 
General for the county of Northampton, and again in 1849. In 1850, his health having been impaired by too close 
application, he was appointed by President Taylor Consul to Trieste in Austria, to which post he repaired, and con- 
tinued in the exercise of his duties for about one year, when he resigned and returned to his home and the pursuit 
of his profession. He continued in the discharge of these duties till in July, 1856. when he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Pollock President Judge of the Third Judicial District of Pennsylvania to succeed his brother-in-law, the Hon- 
Washington McCartney, who had died. He was again appointed in December, 1856, and continued in the discharge of 
the duties of the important post till December i, 1857. Judge Maxwell left the bench with the kindliest feelings of 
all parties. He was among the purest, best and most learned of the Easton bar. Through his instrumentality a 
Young Men's Christian .Association was formed in Easton in December, 1856. He was Secretary of the Fire Insurance 
Company of Northampton county. Secretary and Direaor of the Easton Gas Company, and Direftor of the Easton 
Cemetery. He was for many years one of the Directors of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. He was also a mem- 
ber of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and Vice President of the State Agricultural Society. He received the 
Honorary Degree of A. M. from Jefferson College in 1844. He died October 3, 1S74. 

THOMAS J. ROGERS 
Was a prominent man for many years in Easton. He was aftive in the militia and rose to the rank of general. He 
was proprietor and editor of a newspaper, and a prominent politician. He was a man of wide influence in this con- 
gressional distria. He served four terms in Congress. In 1831 he was appointed a naval officer in Philadelphia where 
he died. 

HON. PHILIP JOHNSON 

Was for twenty years a member of the bar in Easton. There are many who still remember his genial manners. He 
was born in Warren County, N. J., but later in life he removed to Mount Bethel, Pa. He was a student in Lafayette. 
After leaving college he went to Mississippi where he remained four or five years. He returned to this county, and 
in Easton pursued his legal studies under Washington McCartney, LL. D., and was admitted to the bar November 21, 
1847. I" 1S48 he was eleded Clerk of Quarter Sessions. In 1S53 and 1S54 he was elected to the Legislature. In 1859 
he was a member of the Board of Revenue Commissions of the State. In i860 he was eleCled a member of Congress, 
and was re-elecled in 1862 and 1S64. His third term would have expired March 4, 1867. Politically Mr. Johnson was 
a Democrat. Socially he was a genial, aflable gentleman. He was absent from his seat only a week when the House 
of Representatives was startled by the news of his death, which occurred in Washington, January 31, 1867. He was 
a popular man, and the news of his sudden death spread a gloom over Easton. There were solemn funeral services 
in the Hall of Representatives, his remains lying in front of the Speaker's desk. The sermon was preached by the 
Chaplain. His remains were placed in a vault to remain till brought to Easton. Having been a mason, the funeral 
services in Easton were conducted by that fraternity. He was buried in the Easton Cemetery. 



420 



THE HISTORY OF 



HON. WILLIAM MUTCHLER 
Was born December 21st, 1S31, at Chain Dam, on the banks of the Lehigh, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. His 
father was a farmer of the old school— frugal, industrious, conservative. The boys were trained to habits of industry, and 
when in 1S38, their mother was left a widow, the oldest two were able to help her carry on the farm. The subject of this 
sketch was but a child of seven years, yet at that early age he had to do his share of the labor. In the winter he went 
to school and in summer he worked on the farm and as a day laborer. He had made sufficiently good use of his time 
in the winter school to have as a young man a desire for knowledge, and he counted himself very fortunate to be able 
to attend the academy ot Dr. Vanderveer in Easton for two terms. Then he entered the law office of his brother, H. 
M. Mutchler, and studied law. From 1854 to iS6ohe was Deputy Sherififof the county, and in 1856 married a daughter 
of Sheriff Jacob Cope, of Nazareth. He took a very active part in politics as a young man and was a most earnest, 
consistent and uncompromising democrat, who soon became known as a tireless and able worker for the success of the 
party to which his allegiance had been given. By a majority he was elected Prothonotary in 1863 and served the county 
with such marked ability that he was renominated and elected for a second term to that important office. In 1867 he 




was appointed Assessor of Internal Revenue by President Johnson, and served until May 1869. In 1869-70 he was 
Chairman of the Democratic State Committee, and his conduct of that memorable campaign in this State won the ad- 
miration of politicians and gave him great prominence in the party Councils. He was eletted to the forty-fourth, forty- 
seventh, forty-eighth and fifty-first Congresses and his carefulness, clearness, wise conservatism and thorough knowl- 
edge of Congressional routine has made him conspicuous as one of the most useful among the working members. 
William Mutchler is a born political leader, thoroughly versed in State and national politics, conversant with the 
history of political movements and quick to grasp the points of the main issue of the hour. He is wise in counsel and 
in the diretlion of political work. His most prominent characteristic in public and private life is faithfulness. Stead- 
fast as a rock to his friends, to his party, and to his word, he is emphatically "a man to tie to." The frankness and sin- 
cerity of the man in all his dealings have made him hosts of friends in both political parties, and his great influence in 
his county and among his political associates is largely due to the fadl that he is everywhere recognized as a man to be 
trusted. In old Northampton he has never had any opposition for his party nomination to any office he has filled, and 
the fidelity with which he has discharged his public duties has vindicated the judgment of the people. His public and 
private life have been honorable to himself and has fairly won the respect and confidence of the community in which 
he resides. 



E A STO N, PE NN ' A . 



421 



MEMBERS OF THE BAR. 

The members of the Bar of Northampton County, residing in Easton, and in adii 
pradlice July 25, 1889, with date of admission to the Bar. 



Benjamin F. Fackenthall Nov. 21, 1846 

Oliver H. Meyers Nov. 19, 1849 

Edward J. Fo.\, Sr., BucksCo., Sept. 16, '45, . Aug. 15, 1853 

William H. Armstrong, Nov. 23, 1853 

\V. W. Schuyler, President Judge, . . . . April 23, 1854 

Abraham S. Knecht, Jan. 26, 1855 

Elisha AUis, Nov. 18, 1856 

Calvin G. Beitel, Nov. 16, 1858 

James W. Lynn Jan. 25, 1S62 

William Beidelman, Nov. 25, 1863 

Robert I. Jones April 24, 1865 

William C. Edelman April 24, 1865 

James K. Dawes, 06t. 5, 1865 

William S. Kirkpatrick, Oa.5, 1865 

Beates R. Swift . . .Jan. 17, 1866 

John C. Merrill, Jan. 21, 1867 

Howard J. Reeder, Judge Jan. 21, 1867 

Henry W. Scott April 29, 1868 

William Mutchler ... .June 23, 1869 

Abraham B. Howell Feb. 2, 1870 

George V. Wallace, Mays, 1S71 

Francis H. Lehr Aug. 29, 1871 

Robert E. James Nov. 20, 1872 

C. Albert Sandt . . Aug. 31, 1875 

Fennel C. Evans . Feb. 16, 1876 

Quintus F. Ehler, ... Sept. 4, 1876 



David W. Nevin, June 14, 

William C. Shipman Oct. 9, 

James W. Wilson, Ocl. 17, 

George W. Geiser, Feb. 22, 

Morris Kirkpatrick June 16, 

Matthew H Jones ... June 16, 

William Fackenthall ' ' ' . . . Aug. i5, 

Luther M. Fine, Oft. 20, 

Willis S. Hetrich March 15, 

Henry S. Cavanaugh, Aug. 23, 

Edward J. Fo.x, Jr., Dec. 13, 

George F. P. Young Dec. 21, 

Russel C. Stewart Jan. 3, 

James S. Downs, ... April 11, 

Henry J. Steel ' • May 16, 

Charles F. Walter May 2, 

Herbert ^L Hagerman Oa. 10, 

Aaron Goldsmith, Sept. 3, 

Frederick Green, 0&.. 8, 

George L. Xander Feb. 11, 

N. DuBoib Chase March 31, 

Orrin Serfass, July 16, 

Henry D. Maxwell, July 20, 

David M. Kuntz Aug. 14, 

Irwin S. Uhler Oct. 19, 



PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 




E NOW approach a different element of religions life from that described 
in the early stages of this work. One of the most remarkable men appears 
on the scene, a man more like Paul than any since his day. There was 
but one thought that moved his soul to a<5lion, and the whole world knows 
what it was. His devotion to what he felt to be duty leads us to accuse 
him of imprudence in unnecessary exposure of his health. His life was 
of but little account when he felt that duty called him. Every branch of 
the church honors his memory, and millions of true christians would 
gladly weep at his grave. He seems to have been sent into the world to 
let the light of pure religion shine in its simplicity and heavenly splendor, 
and teach the world a lesson not taught in the schools. Christians may 
dispute about do6lrines, but all true christians of every denomination approach the grave 
of Brainerd with uncovered heads and hearts touched with the tenderest emotions. He 
left Stockbridge, May 3, 1744, went through the wilderness to the Delaware, preached to 
the Indians, went through a wilderness to the Susquehanna, and returned to Massachu- 
setts and died Odlober 9, 1747. His ministry at the Forks continued about a year, and 
in this short period he made his name immortal. If we ask what Brainerd has done to 
give him such a place in history, looking over the field of his labor, some would readily 
answer — nothing ; but taking another view, the new spiritual impulse imparted to the 
church, and to individual experience, and to the spirit of christian missions, the pen of 
an angel cannot tell, it can only be told at the judgment. Did this remarkable man ever 
preach in Easton? has been a question in the mind of the writer since this work was 
begun. In the semi-centennial sermon of Dr. Sadtler (p. 26), he says : " Documentarv 
evidence shows that in 1745 and 1746 Brainerd resided chiefly at the Forks of the Dela- 
ware, and occasionally preached to the forsaken protestant Germans ;" and tradition says 
he preached on the hill where the old Academy now stands. There is one thing certain 
this self-denying apostle never waited for men to come to him, but at the risk of life he 
would go to them to preach the gospel. And the fa6l mentioned by Dr. Sadtler that the 
Germans were as sheep without shepherd would of itself lead Brainerd to Easton. The 
only house was at the point, Martin's ferry house. He preached on the other side of the 
Delaware, in truth, the whole region is hallowed by the recollecftions of this acknowl- 
edged messenger from heaven. His sun rose in glory and set at noon. His name will 
never be forgotten, but his memory grow brighter as years roll onward. " Brainerd built 
his cabin," and made his headquarters in what is now called Lower Mount Bethel town- 
ship, near the mouth of Martin's Creek. From this point, as a base of operations, he 
itinerated through the surrounding country, preaching sometimes to the scattered white 
settlers, but most frequently to the Indians. In 1794 the Union Academy was incor- 
porated mainly through the efforts of the English speaking part of the community. And 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 423 

tliis building furnished a place where religious services might be held with some regu- 
larity. There is to be found in the records of the trustees of the academy, under date of 
July 21, 1798, the following minirtes : "Resolved, that permission be given the present 
English teacher in the academy to hold meetings for worship in said house at any time 
which shall not interfere with the schools ; he being responsible for the care of the house 
on such occasions." On Academy Hill the First Presbyterian Church was ushered into 
life, and became the mother of Presbyterianism in this region, and established the Eng- 
lish language for the future. The English speaking people met in the academy, entered 
into a convenant or agreement, and formed an organization to be called the " Easton 
Religious Society ;" "And do ordain and establish this Constitution for the good order 
and government of the same." This precious old document is still in possession of the 
Presbyterian Church. This Constitution consists of eight articles. The fourth article 
provides that Mr. Andrew Mein (the teacher in the academy) be requested to accept the 
appointment to officiate in the administration of the Divine funcftions until the twenty- 
fifth of March, 1799, with desire and permission to request and employ any person to his 
assistance that he may approve of. There were some very peculiar features in the condi- 
tions by which this teacher becomes acting pastor. The services were not to be too brief, 
nor too prohx, and the do6lrines were to be in the utmost purity. The records of this 
society were not kept, and we have no means of knowing the nature of its life for eleven 
years. The official records of the First Presbyterian Church begin with April, 181 1. 
The first entry is as follows : A number of the inhabitants of the Borough of Easton 
having convened in said Borough to take into consideration the most eligible mode of 
procuring a teacher of their children, and a preacher of the word of God in the English 
language, it was, after deliberation, thought most advisable to request the Presbytery of 
New Brunswick to grant them supplies for the ensuing summer, out of which supplies it 
was expedled one might be sele<5led for the purpose aforesaid. Dr. John Cooper and Mr. 
John Ewing were appointed a committee to present this request to the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick. They appeared before that body, April, 181 1. The petition was granted, 
and Mr. Stephen Boyer, a licentiate, was appointed to preach two years, as a stated sup- 
ply, to the English citizens in the Borough of Easton. After hearing Mr. Boyer preach, 
and his ministrations being acceptable, August 19, iSii, the people made out a call for 
his services at a salary of $400 a year. The call was subscribed by forty-seven persons. 
Mr. Boyer accepted the call. The Presbytery met in Easton, November 6, and ordained 
Mr. Boyer, November 7, 181 1, in the old German Church on Third street. He held his 
Sabbath service in the Court House, and taught a seledl class in the south room of the 
second story of the academy during the week. At a meeting of the congregation in the 
Court House, March 10, 1812, a proper organization was made by ele6ling John Green, 
Absalom Reeder, Benjamin Green, Benjamin Hinds, John Ewing, Samuel R. Finley, and 
Joseph Burke, Trustees; and on December 21, 1812, Thomas BuUman, Joseph Burke 
Samuel R. Finley, and Benjamin Green, were eledled Elders. As far back as 179S the 
trustees of the academy had given permission to the English teacher to hold services in 
the building. In 1798 a religious society was formed by the adoption of a constitution, 
and fourteen years later a pastor had been settled and the organization completed. This 
was the toiling of childhood, but it is very pleasant to look through the seventy-two years 
that have followed and mark the progress and the amount of work done. Mr. Boyer 



424 THE HISl^ORY OF 

remained nearly three years and then removed to Columbia, Pa. Rev. David Bishop was 
the next pastor. 

The congregation felt they needed a house of worship and must depend upon them- 
selves. They built a church, and on August 22, 1819, it was dedicated to God. Thus 
the people struggled and patiently waited for forty-one years ; having been incorporated 
they now had a "local habitation and a name." In five years they found their church 
too small ; money was raised, the church was enlarged by an extension of twenty feet in 
the rear. And while these repairs were in progress the congregation was again welcomed 
to the old German Church on Third street. Colonel Thomas McKeen, in 1852, offered 
$4200 toward the ere<?tion of a parsonage if the church would raise $650 addition. This 
was done and the parsonage was built. Mr. Bishop preached steadily till he died, May 
19, 1822, having preached five years and six months. He was buried near the church, 
but afterward his remains were removed to the Easton Cemetery. The pulpit was left 
vacant. But it did not long remain so. Mr. John Gray was invited to ])reach as a candi- 
date. He was elected pastor September, 1822 ; ordained and remained forty-four years 
and seven months. Dr. Gray was succeeded by Rev. W. A. Kerr, a graduate of Wash- 
ington College, of Alleghany Seminary, and a licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle. 
He was called September 6, 1867 ; ordained and installed November 19. He was a young 
man of fine oratorical talents, an interesting and attractive preacher. He rapidly attained 
popularity and gathered large and admiring audiences. He resigned August, 1870, after 
a pastorate of three years and removed to Williamsport. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Frank E. Miller, who was called December 28, 1870, and assumed charge February i, 
1871 ; was installed May i, by a committee of the Presbytery of Lehigh. Rev. D. S. 
Banks, presided ; Rev. W. C. Cattell, D. D., preached the sermon ; Rev. J. Belville, D. 
D., delivered the charge to the pastor ; and Rev. C. Earle to the people. Before speak- 
ing of the work done by the last named pastor it may be proper to mention other matters 
of church history to the time of his installation. This church has ever looked upon the 
Sabbath School as the most important feature of church work. July 24, 1809, Samuel 
R. Finley and Joseph Burke presented a petition to the trustees of the academy asking 
the use of a room for Sabbath School purposes. The work was carried on for some time, 
but there were no records. In this school, in addition to the scriptures, the pupils were 
taught writing. When Mr. Bishop came on the field there was no organization. In 1816 
he reviewed the school and put it upon a substantial basis, and the exercises have been 
uninterrupted since. In 1812 the church reported fourteen members to the Presbytery of 
New Brunswick. In 1825 there were ninety-six communicants, and the total amount of 
benevolent contributions was seventeen dollars. In 1849, when Dr. Gray was in his 
prime, the church numbered four hundred and nine members. In past times John Stew- 
art, Benjamin Hinds, and James Wilson, took turns in standing before the pulpit and 
leading the music. In 1829 the congregation paid twenty-five dollars for one cast-steel 
triangle, haujuier, etc., by the aid of which the people were called to the house of wor- 
ship. A bell was purchased in the same year. In 18 16 the church used candles for light- 
ing the house ; in 1819 they owned sixteen candle-sticks, valued at five dollars ; in 1822 
the church had introduced lamps. Up to 1850 whale oil was used ; and in 1851 gas was 
introduced. This gave a very pleasant light and was thought to be very satisfadlory, but 
time brings its changes, and in 1889 gas is discarded and ele(5lricity is introduced. The 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 425 

church is now beautifully lighted by the Edison electric burners. If the people would try 
the experiment of bringing in a few caudles and ligliting them and then turn on the 
ele<i1ric lights we might get a good contrast between the past and the present. 

The pastorate of Mr. Miller is looked upon as one of the most prosperous periods of 
church life in the First Church. He was born in Ohio, pursued his collegiate studies 
at the Miami University, and graduated at the Theological Seminary, Princeton. He 
served in the war of the Rebellion, being Major of his regiment. After the war he was 
settled in Asbury, N. J., from whence he was called to the First Presbyterian Church in 
Easton, Pa. He was pastor of this church sixteen years. Under his administration, the 
church became a model in aggressive work. He carried the experience of the army into 
church work, as far as he could with good results. The church was repaired at a cost of near 
$8000, the cupola was removed from the north end of the church, and a bell-tower built 
at the southeast corner. The pulpit was removed to the north end of the building with 
the organ behind the pulpit. The floor was made to slope toward the pulpit, being 
three feet higher at the doors. The old pews were changed, and those of black walnut 
took their place, cushioned with curled hair, and covered with crimson damask, and 
the walls were neatly frescoed. A Sabbath School was established in the Seventh 
Ward, and was of so much promise that a chapel which cost $1900 was built. A 
dwelling and lot was donated, valued at $2000 ; a corner lot donated valued at $1200 ; 
and another house and lot valued at $1800. In 1884 a Sabbath School was estab- 
lished at Seitzville, and a chapel was built costing $1918.55. In 1888 a chapel was built 
at Schoernertown called the Riverside Chapel, costing $1382.51. In 1887 Mr. Miller, 
accepted a call extended to him from Paterson, N. J., and his successor, Rev. Douglas 
Carlile, was installed May 7, 1S88. The church building became too small and must be 
enlarged, which was effe<£led by adding twenty feet to the north end, making extensive 
changes and repairs, and obtaining a new organ ; the changes cost about $10,000. The 
organ is now run by an eleClric motor. 

Rev. Douglas Carlile was born in Clarksburgh, West Virginia, April i, i860. He 
was the son of Hon. John S. Carlile, who served in both houses of Congress. He studied 
for the ministry in the Western Theological Seminary and graduated in 1885. His first 
settlement was in Brockton, Mass. The climate being too sev'ere, he came to Easton 
where he is faithfully and successfully doing the work of his Master. 



On November 13, 1816, Rev. David Bishop was ordained to the work of the gospel 
ministry. As in the former case, the congregation secured the German Reformed Ciuirch, 
on Third street, for the ordination services. That the occasion was one of more than ordi- 
nary interest, may be inferred from the fa6l that Drs. Alexander and Miller, of Princeton 
Seminary, were present, and participated in the exercises. Mr. Bishop's salary was three 
hundred and fifty dollars per annum, payable in half-yearly installments. Mr. Bishop 
supplemented his income by outside preaching at Mount Bethel and Durham, and by 
teaching a classical school in the Academy. 

When Mr. Bishop entered upon his duties, services were still held in the Court House ; 
but the place not being entirely adapted for such purposes, and objeclions being made on 
the part of certain persons to its use by the congregation, it became evident, that if the 
organization was to thrive, it must have a propertv of its own. Efforts had been made to 



426 



THE HISTORY OF 



this end some years before. On the seventeenth of July, 1813, a letter was presented to 
the trustees of the academy, from Messrs. Reeder, Bullman and B. Green, trustees of the 
English Presbyterian Church, praying for a lot of ground for building a house thereon for 
the use of public worship. The trustees of the academy very sensibly resolved, "that 
it is inexpedient to grant the English Presbyterian congregation any ground." Finding 
that they must depend upon themselves, on the sixth of July, 1815, a subscription paper 
was drawn up for the purpose of purchasing a lot or lots in the Borough of Eastou, and 
eredling a church thereon, and for a burying ground, for the First Presbyterian congrega- 
tion in the said Borough of Easton. The paper was immediately circulated, money 
obtained, and the church completed and dedicated to the worship of God August 22, 1819. 
When Mr. Bishop removed to Easton he entered upon an uninviting field. The con- 



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A View of Easton, Pa , in 1S7 



gregation was small, without a house of worship, and the moral reputation of the town 
was bad ; some persons — envious outsiders, possibly — calling it Sodom, and like flatter- 
ing names. He was a man of strong convicftions and vigorously proclaimed vigorous 
docftrines. A neighboring minister, somewhat lax in theology and morals, remonstrated 
with Mr. Bishop, predicting that such "horrific preaching" would empty his church ; 
but it seemed to have the contrary effect, for the congregation increased. He was 
considered one of the very best preachers in the Presbytery of Newton ; earnest in 
manner, practical, and yet spiritual in thought. He was tall — five feet ten inches — 
and well proportioned ; hair dark, and very abundant ; altogether giving him a very 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 427 

striking and handsome appearance. He was cut down when apparently entering upon a 
career of usefulness. During his brief ministry his influence was decided and beneficial, 
and it did not cease with his life. " He was adlive, laborious, faithful, and carried with 
him to the grave the purest affections of the people of his charge." Mr. Bishop settled 
the facfl that the stern do6lrines of the gospel, preached in kindness and sincerity, is about 
the best way to fill the pews and build up a prosperous church. Mr. Bishop continued 
stated supply of the First Church until his death. He died of consumption, on Sunday 
morning. May 19, 1822, having labored five years and six months. His remains were 
buried in the rear of the church, but afterwards disintered, and they now lie in our 
beautiful cemetery. 

Rev. John Gray succeeded Rev. David Bishop. The church edifice had been built 
during the ministry of Mr. Bishop, and the do6lrines of the Presbyterian Church had 
been well and faithfully inculcated in the minds of the people, and thus the foundation 
was well laid for the successful work of the new pastor. Dr. Gray came to his work in 
the morning of life, and, in the Providence of God, destined to spend his days in Easton 
and rear a noble superstrucfture on the foundations so well laid. Like his predecessor, he 
had strong convi(5tions, a clear head, a warm heart, courage and perseverence common to 
his race, whose descendants and influence are found in every part of the republic. He 
came from that busy hive which has sent out its earnest workers to aid in establishing a 
"church witliout a bishop and a state without a king." The fiery spirit of John Kno.x 
had imbued their souls with a love of stern dodlrines and political liberty, and they were 
prepared to live or die for either. Wherever they went the church and school house stood 
close together. Dr. John Gray was born in the country of Moneghan, in the north of 
Ireland, December, 1798. He pursued his academic course at the Univesity of Glasgow, 
that centre of religious influence and vigorons thought. His soul here became inspired 
with the orthodox faith, which shone so clearly through the fiery scenes of the Reforma- 
tion, and which had done so much to give religious and political liberty to a continent 
and ultimately to the world. Amid the hills of Scotland his mind had fine opportunities 
for expansion and vigorous growth, and the soul for the cultivation of those finer, spiritual 
faculties, without which mere learning is of but little avail. There were no theological 
seminaries at that time, and Dr. Gray studied theology with the famous Dr. John Dick. 
Mr. Gray was as fortunate in his teaching in theology as he had been in the surroundings 
of literary preparation. Dr. Dick was among the first scholars of the age, and to be a 
pupil of his in the pursuit of sacred literature was an especial privilege, and great advan- 
tage in the sacred calling to which he was aspiring. Sitting at the feet of Dr. Dick he 
could put on the full armor of God and prepare to battle with the " world, the flesh, and 
the devil," in a locality of which he never dreamed, and to which he was led through 
stormy seas by the unseen hand of God. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Mone- 
ghan, October 7, 1820. He married Miss Jane Lewers, a woman of unusual poetic talent, 
which gained recognition on both sides of the Atlantic. After his marriage they sailed for 
the new world, and after a stormy passage landed on one of the Bermuda Islands. They 
were soon on another vessel and reached New Brunswick in safety. The climate proved 
too severe and they sailed for New York. He came to Easton in September and was 
ordained December 3, 1822, by the Presbytery of Newton. He adled as stated supply, 
and his salary was fixed at three hundred and fifty dollars, payable semi-annually. This 



428 THE HISTORY OF 

was felt to be insufficient for his support, and he supplemented his salary by preaching at 
Lower Mount Bethel a portion of the time, until December, 1829. The people soon 
manifested their interest in their minister in a substantial manner. The parish was grow- 
ing in numbers and wealth. The next year after he began his work his salary was 
increased to four hundred dollars. The next year, 1824, his salary was increased to four 
hundred and fifty dollars. In 1828 it was increased to six hundred dollars. It is quite 
likely that the sum was relatively greater then than twice that sum would be now. Such 
generous care for their minister would natually induce a deeper interest in the minister's 
mind, and fi.x a bond of friendship only to be broken by the hand of death. In 1829 the 
congregation added two hundred dollars more to the salary and this sum continued for 
fourteen years, until in 1843, when it was raised to nine hundred dollars. In three years 
more another hundred was added, making one thousand dollars, to which a commodious 
parsonage was added, and this remained his fi.xed income till his death. It is pleasant 
thus to see the congregation so attentive to the wants of the pastor, but it may be equally 
pleasant to note the work by him for whom so much interest was manifested. Dr. Gray 
was ordained December 3, 1822, and in 1825 the church building was too small to accom- 
modate his hearers. A subscription was raised in December of that year to enlarge the 
house of worship. The work was begun the next spring and carried on by extending 
the church twenty feet back and gaining twenty-eight pews. This enlargement lasted 
twenty years, when the congregation found themselves in cramped quarters again. And 
so in 1846 another enlargement was made by adding twelve feet to the front and thus 
bringing the front to the pavement, and by this twenty new pews were gained. When 
the enlargement was completed, a sermon appropriate to the occrsion, was preached by 
Dr. Gray, on Sabbath evening of the reopening, December 27, 1846, from Haggai 2:7. 
The evening of December 27, 1846, was without doubt one of the happiest hours of his 
life. He had been preaching in Easton twenty-fours, had twice enlarged his church, 
adding forty pews to the original number, all of which had been sold. There was a 
mutual love between him and his people which had grown stronger as these years had 
passed away. He was yet in the vigor of his life, having twenty more years of adlive life 
before him. In 1849 Dr. Gray reported four hundred and nine member of his church. 
He had thus taken his church in its childhood, and in twenty-seven years had the pleasure 
of reporting one of the largest churches in the State, and the leading church of North- 
ampton county. In 1848 a number of members withdrew from his church and was 
ultimately formed into the American Reform Church. In 1853 thirty-four members 
withdrew to form the Brainerd Church. March 5, and in December 11 of the same 
year, twenty members withdraw to form the First Presbyterian Church in Phillipsburg, 
which has now a larger membership than the mother church ever had. It was in the 
early part of Dr. Gray's ministry that Lafayette College had its birth, and was breathed 
into life by this church. Dr. Gray was a6live in the work, a(fting for thirteen years as 
one of the trustees ; and thus when he was sixty years old he had great reason for grati- 
tude, that he had been permitted to do so much for his Master. His church and himself had 
founded a college, now among the first in the republic, and thus had set influences in 
motion that will grow deeper and wider as time rolls onward ; and the name of Dr. Gray 
cannot be forgotten while Lafayette College lives, and these churches continue in a6live 
work. He had care of the church for fortv-four years. The last vear of his ministry he 



EASTON, PENN'A. 429 

had an assistant, but then resigned his office, which was accepted April 15, 1867. He 
preached his last sermon on the first Sabbath in April, 1867, and survived, in great physi- 
cal weakness, until January, 1868, when "he fell asleep." In appearance. Dr. Gray was 
tall and shapely, always neatly dressed. In his bearing there was a mingling of dignity 
and urbanity. His sermons were ornate in style and pathetic in tone ; his manner of 
delivery was deliberate, solemn and tender. Few names in the past history of Easton is 
more pleasantly spoken of than that of Dr. Gray. He filled up the measure of his days, 
did a good work, and died in the faith. He came to Easton when the work of a good, 
spiritual architect was demanded. He was a workman of whom that generation, or those 
of the future, need not to be ashamed. He did much to fix the moral and religious life 
for that and future generations, and thus secure happiness and prosperity for those who 
should come after him. Dr. Gray seems to have drifted, but he was evidently guided to 
Easton, by that mysterious power that " guides Arcturus with his sons ;" that feeds " the 
young ravens which cry ;" that gives color to the petals of the lily, and fragrance to the 
rose of summer. Mrs. Gray, the wife of Dr. Gray, was a woman of uncommon talent, 
and a poet by nature. 

THE BRAINERD CHURCH 

Was a colony from the First Presbyterian Church. The thirty-six members of that 
church who withdrew March 5, 1853, formed its original membership. On Ocflober 5, 
1852, they, with the session of the mother church, united in an application for organiza- 
tion to the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, which was granted, and on March 8, 1853, 
the committee of Presbytery, appointed for the purpose, met in the First Presbyterian 
Church. The way being clear, the organization was completed, Messrs. John Stewart 
and Isaac N. Carpenter having been elected elders, and Messrs. James McKeen, John 
Pollock and William Hemmel, deacons. Preparations were immediately made for the 
erecflion of a new edifice, and while this was in progress the congregation worshiped in 
the old chuch, assembling as a separate congregation, only in the afternoon of the Sab- 
bath, preaching of the gospel and the administration of the sacraments, taking place 
under ministers of their own appointments, until the new building was sufficiently com- 
pleted for their use. This was begun in the summer of 1853. The first services in it was 
the celebration of the Lord's Supper in the le(flure room, on September 3, 1854. It was 
dedicated on 0<5lober 17, 1854. 

The building stands in Spring Garden street, on the northeast corner of Sitgreaves 
street, between Second and Third streets. Its front is of trimmed Trenton stone, with 
a spire one hundred and seventy-five feet high, and of Gothic design. The lower story 
is divided into a large leAure and Sunday School room, together with four smaller rooms. 
The main audience room, on the second story, has seventy-eight pews, and at the street 
end there is a choir loft, furnished with .an organ of moderate size. The cost was about 
$32,000. It has been several times refitted, but no material change has been made in its 
divisions or arrangements. 

Rev. G. Wilson McPhail, D. D., was installed pastor on the day of dedication, and 
continued in this relation until April, 1862, a period of seven years and a half While 
here he was also, during a portion of his pastorate, the President of Lafayette College. 

Rev. Alfred H. Kellogg, a licentiate of the Central Presbytery of Philadelphia, was 




M 







- ill 



v i^tf i V m^ 




E ASTON, PENN'A. 43^ 

called as his successor, and ordained pastor, Oclober 22, 1862. He continued until April, 
1865, accepting the call of the University Place Church, in New York, at the end of two 
years and a half. 

He was succeeded by the Rev. D. Stuart Banks, in April, 1866, who after a success- 
ful pastorate of nearly seven years, removed to Margnette, Michigan, preaching his last 
sermon here in February, 1873. 

Rev. Jacob Weidman, from the Presbytery of Philadelphia, north, was installed, 
June 5, 1873. 

The church has steadily grown in strength of organization and members. Its elder- 
ship has been increased at several times, and now consists of Messrs. E. J. Fox, John 
Pollock, James Long, Samuel Boileau, and W. K. Wolverton. It has numbered on its 
roll the successive presidents of Lafayette College, and a large proportion of its profes- 
sors and students. The Sabbath School enrolls about two hundred and fifty children, 
whose work and liberality is fostered in the Juvenile Missionary Society, by means of 
which they have contributed about $4500 to the Home Mission cause within the past ten 
years. The ladies of the congregation are organized for benevolent labor into the Pas- 
toral Aid Society, through which they contribute money and clothing in aid of Home 
and Foreign Missions and local or casual charities. The last report to the General Assem- 
bly shows a membership of two hundred and eight. 

The above is taken from the Northampton County History, and comes down to the 
pastorate of Rev. Jacob Weidman. Mr. Weidman was installed in 1873 and resigned in 
1880. He was followed by Rev. A. Russell Stevenson, who was born in Baltimore, 
December 29, 1856. He prepared for college at Chambersburg, Pa. ; graduated at Princeton 
1876 ; studied at Union Theological Seminary, N. Y., two years and graduate at Prince- 
ton Seminary, 1880. He was installed pastor of the Brainerd Church, December, 1880, 
and resigned March i, 1888, to take charge of the First Presbyterian Church, Schenectidy, 
N. Y. During this pastorate a commodious parsonage was bought, situated on Second street. 
Rev. Henry D. Lindsay was installed the first Sunday in July, 1888. He was grad- 
uated at Erskine College S. C, in 1879, and at Princeton, 1883. His first settlement was 
in the pastorate of the Thompson Memorial Church, in the Presbytery of Philadelphia. 
From that church he was transferred to the First Church of Wilmington, Del. From 
this church he was called to the Brainerd Church in Easton, and installed as stated above. 
The church is enjoying a career of prosperty and usefulness. 

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

In April, 1848, a colony from the First Presbyterian Church was organized under this 
name. In April, 1851, owing to adverse external influences, the organization dissolved. 
Its constituents, however, were reorganized in July the same year as a Reformed Protes- 
tant Dutch Church— usually styled by its distincflive name "American Reformed." It 
built a church on Fifth street in 1852, costing $16,000. This was sold to the Zion L ith- 
eran congregation in 1871. Another church was immediately built on Spring Garden 
street, costing $61,000, which it now occupies. It also owns a parsonage adjoining. In 
the spring of 1888 the congregation resolved to take measures to re-enter the Presbyterian 
denomination and to reassume its original name. It applied to the classis of Raritan, 



432 



THE HISTORY OF 



with which it was in ecclesiastical connedlion, and in July obtained permission to make 
the transfer. The corporate name was changed by the civil Court in August, and in Sep- 
tetnber the church was received and put on the roll of the Presbytery of Lehigh without 
reorganization. This transition was made without any objection and with the full appro- 
bation of both denominations. 

The pastors of the church have been — Rev. J. H. Mason Knox, D. D., (now Presi- 
dent of Lafayette College) 1851-3 ; Rev. Cornelius H. Edgar, D. D., (deceased) 1853-1882 ; 
Rev. George M. S. Blauvelt, 1882-8, and Rev. T. J. Lee (present incumbent) elected 1889. 

For thirty years Dr. Edgar was pastor of the American Reformed Church of Easton. 
He was born in Rahway, N. J., April 11, 181 1, and died at Easton, December 23, 
1884. He graduated at Princeton College, class of 1831, engaged for several years in 
teaching, and was head master of the preparatory department of the University of the 
city of New York. He entered the ministry in 1845, ^"'^ ^^ o"*^^ became pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church at Bridge Hampton, Long Island. He remained there until 1853, 
when he accepted a call to the Easton church. Dr. Edgar was a man of marked individ- 
uality of character. There was no element of common place in his composition. His 
bearing and address indicated that he was positive on all lines of mental and moral adlion. 
His sunny spirit, his courteous manners, his sprightly conversation, his cheerful piety, 
and his upright character made his daily life an example and power for good in the com- 
munity. Great talents and careful culture prepared him for his work as a preacher. He 
was a forcible speaker, fluent and perspicuous in his use of a rich vocabulary. Ready and 
earnest, remarkable for clear propositional statement, keen analysis, apt illustration, and 
coherent treatment of a subject, he was recognized as a leader among his clerical brethren. 

There have been in this congregation from the beginning, and are now connedled 
with it many of the most prominent citizens of Easton and professors and students of 
Lafayette College. 



METHODISM IN EASTON. 

The earliest records of Methodist preaching in this region are in 1802. At this time 
Johnson Dunham was appointed to Northampton county, then belonging to the Philadelphia 
Conference. During 1802, J. Dunham was sent to Kent Circuit, and Henry Bsehm 
removed from Kent to Northampton. In 1803, Northampton was abandoned, as a Dis- 
tri(?l Circuit, and the few appointments in it were added to the Bristol Circuit. In iSio, 
another effort was made to occupy Northampton, in the neighborhood of Easton. David 
Bartine was the preacher in charge. The circuit was weak, and the next year had to be 
joined with what is now Lehigh county. Daniel Ashton and W. W. Foulks, who were 
appointed to this circuit, frequently visited Easton. In the house of Mrs. Wagner, grand- 
mother of our townsman Mr. Daniel W. Conklin, these men found a welcome and a place to 
preach the do6lrines of the gospel, as understood by the Methodists. In 1813 Mrs. Wagner 
was happily converted in her own house and in the midst of her own family. For several 
years the preachers appointed to Bristol Circuit, or Northampton Circuit, continued to 
visit Easton, but they did not hold regular services. In 1815 Manning Force baptized a 
son of Mrs. Wagner, whose name was Absalom. On the twenty-seventh of July, 1820, 




k '. Y 



" it , # " 






P TKl 





E AS TON, PENN'A. 



433 



William Colbert baptized a daughter. In 1825 Philip Reese, who had been a Lutheran, 
became an adlive, zealous Methodist. His house was a centre for preachers to hold meet- 
ings, and a Bethel for the new denomination. Meetings were held, more or less regularh', 
by the preachers of Warren Circuit, and with variable success until sometime in 1826, when 
the first class-meeting was formed, and William Down, who had been a Methodist in Eng- 
land, was appointed leader. David Best and James Danby were the preachers in that and 
the following year. It is remarkable that the first class of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
of Easton was formed in PhiHipsburg, but the members of the denomination worshipped 
together, and hence the class was formed there. The second class was formed in the 
summer of 1827. '^he old Academy, on what was called the School House Hill, was 
secured for the preachers. Large crowds attended the services and a revival of religion 
followed. The audience became so large that the trustees were apprehensive of the 
strength of the building, and it was vacated. The names on the class-book in 1827, were 
as follows : William Down, Hannah Down, Philip Reese, Mary Reese, Mary Bell, Ann 
Gano, Cornelius Moore, John Moore, Sarah Moore, Margaret Wagner, Mary A. Wagner, 
Esther Wagner, Maria Tilton, Alexander W. Paterson, George W. Wagner, Luther Car- 
ter, Elizabeth Carter, Robert Vandyke, Sidney Down, Jane Down, George S. Moore, 
Daniel B. Wagner, Sophia Reese, Margaret Wilhelm, Sarah Ann Wagner, Margaret 
Oliver, Herman Heckman, Hiram Hess, Peter Schooley, John Bell, Sally Ann Schoolev. 
Through the courtesy of the county officials the Court House was used as a preaching 
place for a period ; then an old red store house, situated near the junction of Walnut and 
Northampton streets. The Methodist people became very warmly attached to this old 
building, as it had been the scene of many pleasant meetings and many conversions. 
They were at times visited by the Presiding Elder and eminent preachers in the denomi- 
nation. Among these were Lawrence McCombs and George Banghart. After some 
time the society removed to a tinsmith's shop on Si tgreaves street, and were supplied with 
preachers from the Warren Circuit. In 1832 the present church lot was purchased from 
Martha Moore and Euphemia Wall, sisters of Samuel Moore, Esq. On the lot, and 
included in the purchase, was a long narrow frame building which had been used for an 
armory in the war of 1812. This building served as a place of worship and a residence 
of a family for several years. Because of its strange proportions and elevated position, 
resting as it did upon props, people called it "The Saw Mill." Here Joseph McCool, 
Abraham K. Street, George F. Brown, and John Bishop Hagany, preached from 1832 to 1835. 

The first regular church edifice was ere6led in 1835, under the supervision of 
the pa.stor, J. B. Hagany, and continued to be u.sed until the spring of 1855, when it was 
destroyed by fire. The Presiding Elders who officiated there in the order named, were 
George Banghart, James Smith, Solomon Higgins, James H. McFarland, Elijah Miller, 
Robert Gerry, and Joseph Castle. The pastors were Vincent Sheppard, 1836 ; James V. 
Potts, 1837 ; George Lacy, 1838 ; John S. Inskip, 1839 and 1840 ; Samuel Higgins, 1841 ; 
Elijah Miller, 1842 and 1843 ; Christopher J. Crouch, 1844 ; Fennel Coombe, 1845 and 
1846 ; Joseph Mason, 1847 ^''^^ ^848 ; William Barns, 1849 and 1850 ; John Le Roy Taft, 
1851 and 1852 ; James Rush Anderson, 1853 and 1854 ; and William Bishop, 1855 aud 
1856. The last named pastor had preached but a short time when the building was burned. 

The present church was erected in 1855, and dedicated by the Conference in 1856. The 
building is large and commodious, and its ere6lion marked an epoch in the history of Metho- 



434 THE HISTORY OF 

dism in Easton. The work of rebuilding so quickly, and at such expense, exhibited a 
vitality that gave assurance of a prosperous future. The progress of the church has been 
steady. The succession of pastors from 1856 to 1885, is as follows : John C. Thomas, 1857, 
1858 ; Michael D. Kurtz, 1859, i860 ; H. F. Hurn, 1861, 1862 ; J. H. Lightbourne, 1863, 1864 ; 
F. Hodgson, 1865, 1866 ; H. S. Cook, 1867, 1868, 1869 ; J. S. Welsh, 1870, 1871 ; J. S. 
J. McConnell, 1872, 1873, 1874 ; William S. Gray, 1875, 1876, 1877 ; Elias B. Hough- 
ton, 1878, 1879, 1880 ; S. H. Hoover, 1881, 1882, 1883 ; J. R. Taylor Gray, 1884, 1885 ; 
W. J. Mills, 1886 ; L. B. Hoffman, 1887, 1888, 1889. It was during the ministry of Rev. 
S. H. Hoover that the Memorial Church was built. It was dedicated March, 1884, free 
from debt. The building of this chapel on Ferry street, between Tenth and Eleventh 
streets, is a monument to his energy and perseverance. The pastors of the Methodist 
Church are generally among the eminent preachers of their denomination. The present 
pastor is Rev. L. B. Hoffman. The Stewards are Daniel L. Wolverton, John D. Pat- 
terson, John C. Merrill, Esq., John Wilson, Elisha Johnson, Nelson Lake, Joseph F. 
Crater, S. H. Walter, David Chamberlain, and Birge Pearson. Superintendent, H. M. 
Norton ; Assistant Female Superintendent, Mrs. David Chamberlain. The number of 
church members 265, and 20 on probation. The number of scholars in the Sabbath 
School 450, and 35 officers and teachers. The value of church property is $25,000. The 
amount of contributions for benevolent purposes, Home and Foreign Missions, from the 
church, $75 ; from the Sabbath School, $80. Salary for Pastor, Presiding Elder, and 
Bishop, $1628 ; for Conference claimants, $60 ; for other collections, $50. 

BETHEL MISSION. 

Bethel Mission (English) Church of the Evangelical Association, on Ferry, near 
Ninth street, was organized as a mission on the twenty-second day of March, 1869. The 
society, numbering nine members, held its first meeting in a private house, on North- 
ampton street, between Sixth and Seventh streets. The chapel now used was dedicated 
to the service of God on the sixth day of November, 1869. It was eredled at a cost of 
about $6000, most of which was paid at completion. The first pastor was Rev. L. N. 
Worman, under whose administration the church was erecfled. He served two years, 
being then the full term allowed at any one place by the Conference. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. S. L. Wiest, who, under the new arrangement of General Conference, 
officiated for three years. He was followed by Rev. O. L. Saylor, Rev. S. C. Breyfogel; 
Rev. A. M. Stirk, Rev. J. G. Sands, Rev. J. C. Krause, and Rev. T. A. Hess, the present 
pastor. The number of church members is one hundred and three ; the number of pupils 
in the Sabbath School is one hundred and sixty-seven, and the number of officers and 
teachers is twenty-five. There is a very commodious parsonage convenient for the ))astor. 

TRINITY CHURCH. 

Trinity Church of the Evangelical Association (German). The first services of this 
society were held in the year 1848, in a private house, by Rev. M. Sindlinger, a preacher 
on the Northampton Circuit. He was followed at intervals by Revs. J. Hess, D. Weiand, 
S. G. Rhoads, C. Hummel, M. Goebel, Jacob Gross, F. Frecker, and W. Yost, all preach- 
ers on the circuit. In 1854 the small congregation became a mission, with Rev. J. Yeakel, 



E ASTON, P/{NX\4. 435 

pastor, and meetings were held in the basement of the " West Ward Academy." Under 
the supervision of Rev. J. Yeakel, the present church, on Nortliampton street was built 
in 1855, and named the Trinity Church of the Evangelical Association. Mr. Yeakel was 
succeeded by Rev. W. L. Reber, and in 1858 the church was constituted a self-support- 
ing station. The following pastors have served in the sacred office since : W. L. Reber, 
J. Yeakel, J. Koehl, J. Hess, B. F. Bonner, C. B. Fliehr, G. Scarf, S. Breifogel. 

The members of the church now number one hundred and forty ; the Sabbath School 
numbers one hundred and fifty. The parsonage joins the church on the west. The 
present pastor is Rev. George Knerr. 

JEWISH SYNAGOGUE. 

The Jewish congregation was first organized in Easton in 1839, and chartered Novem- 
ber 24, 1842, with the following members : Henry Rosenfelt, Michael Lederer, Solomon 
Rhoda, Samuel Bachenheimer, Moses Cohn, Solomon Scheit, Samuel Abel, Adolph 
Hirsch, Louis Bachenheimer, M. Gardner, Wolf Rosenbaum, Emanuel Scheif, Isaac 
Menline. In 1842 — Jewish Calender, 5602 — a lot of land, 40 by 100 feet, on South 
Sixth street, was purchased for four hundred dollars of Charles Kitchen and Andrew H. 
Reeder, assignees of Christian J. Hutter, and the first church building erected in the 
same year at a cost of $2400. The first officiating Rabbi was Rev. Manis Cohn. He 
was followed by Rev. Mr. Gling. In 1870 the congregation had so increased that it 
became necessary to enlarge the synagogue. This was accomplished the following year 
at a total cost of $5600. When the new synagogue was dedicated the reformed mode of 
worship was introduced, as adopted by the Conference of Rabbis, at Cleveland, Ohio, by 
Rev. Dr. Isaac M. Wisse, of Cincinnatti, who also performed the rites of dedication. 
The interior of the synagogue is plain and neat. The ark containing the scrolls of the 
law, surmounted by the two tablets of testimony, is in the east. In front of the ark, 
which is curtained, is the pulpit, and below this the reading desk ; the whole on a plat- 
form elevated a few feet from the floor of the building. The choir gallery is in the west ; 
and the pews, fifty-three in number, with the capacity of about three hundred and fifty 
sittings, running from north to south, and on either side of the Holy Ark, running east 
and west. Religious services are held every Friday evening and Saturday morning. On 
all holy days the service is condudled in the Hebrew, German and English languages, 
interspersed with German and English hymns by the choir. The sermons are sometimes 
in English and sometimes in German The records from which the author copies the 
above account come to the period of about 1875. Rev. Jacob S. Jacobson was the ofiUciat- 
ing Rabbi. At that time the congregation numbered about 255 souls. There was a 
school connected with the synagogue, under the supervision of Rev. Mr. Jacobson, study- 
ing Religious and Bible History. It numbered about seventy-five pupils. They studied 
the Hebrew and German languages. The income of the society was then about $1600, 
and property was valued at $10,000. The congregation has a burying ground on Butler 
street and extends back to Washington street. There are several Jewish societies con- 
necled with the congregation. The first is a secret society called thejudea Lodge, No. 
30, I. O. B. B., (Independent Order B'nai B'rith) or sons of the covenant, a society 
spread over the Union, and a<5ling as a mutual benefit society. At the above date there 



436 THE HISTORY OF 

was a membership of about fifty, all males above twenty-one years of age, and a capital 
of about $4000. The " Kranken und Leichen Mache Verein," is a society that was organ- 
ized in 1857 ; its obje<5l is to take care of the sick and poor of the congregation, and 
defraying funeral expenses of indigent persons. This society had a membership of about 
forty, and a capital at that time of about seven hundred dollars. The present minister, or 
pastor, is Rev. Ale.xander Gross, who has had the pastoral care of the congregation since 
April I, 1881. He reports the number of Sunday School scholars thirty-seven. Mr. 
Gross, the present Rabbi, was born in Baden, Germany. He was educated in Karlsruhe, 
the capital city of Baden. He came to this country in 1869, and resided in Petersburg, 
Va., eleven years, and from there came to Easton in 1881. He is now forty-four years of age. 

ST. BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

The first Catholic Church in Easton was built in 1836, and dedicated the same year 
by Bishop Kendrick, afterwards Archbishop of Baltimore. Prior to this time, meetings 
were held in different private houses, as circumstances required. The first pastor was 
Rev. Fitzpatrick, who was succeeded by the following : Revs. Herzog, Maloney, Brady, 
and Thomas Reardon. The first church was built of stone, and was rebuilt and enlarged 
in 1867. As it was being finished, an accident on the part of one of the workmen, who 
was soldering at the bottom of the spire, upset the portable furnace, from which the 
church took fire, and in spite of the united efforts of the fire department of the borough, 
was entirely consumed. Within ten days the members and friends of the church had 
raised $2000, which was presented to the pastor to aid in rebuilding, and in a short time 
the large and commodious edifice on South Fifth street was erecfted. In the early day of 
the history of the church, services were not held regularly, as the pastor often had to 
attend meetings in Lehigh, Bucks, and Monroe counties, in this State, as well as Warren 
and Hunterdon, in New Jersey. At the time of the first church, the congregation was 
small, only numbering about one hundred in all, and was composed almost entirely of 
Germans and Irish. Since that time, the membership has been steadily increasing, until 
it now numbers about 2000, of which nearly two-thirds are native born. The above is 
quoted from the Northampton County History published in 1877. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The Baptists were almost unknown in Easton prior to 1836. Rev. Joseph Matthias, 
a Baptist minister from Hilltown, Bucks county, in itinerations would stop and preach in 
the Court House as occasion might offer. But this was all the Baptist service held in 
Easton at the above date. On one of his periodical visits he became acquainted with 
Margaret Hill, recently from Morristown, N. J. , Eleanor Ihrie from Kentucky, and Amos 
Rogers from Tompkins county, N. Y., each members of different Baptist Churches, but 
who had lived in Easton for a considerable time unknown to each other. After this the 
ministrations of Joseph Matthias, John P. Thompson, John S. Jenkins, and others, were 
more frequent. On the second Sabbath in December, 1836, Rev. Joseph Matthias bap- 
tized three persons in the Delaware in the presence of a large congregation of the people 
of Easton and vicinity. On the fifth Sabbath of January following, Rev. Matthias again 
visited the little flock in Easton, preached in the house of Ezekiel Hill and administered 



EASTO.\\ PEXX'A. 



437 



the communion. Shortly after this Rev. Thomas Ritchie, of Perth Amboy, N. J., 
removed to Easton, and preached here and at Mt. Bethel, Stroudsburg and other places. 
On the twenty-sixth of September, 1837, a council convened in a school house, near the 
corner of Fourth and Washington streets, a church covenant was adopted by the small 
number, only si.x members, and they were regularly constituted and set apart as a separate 
and independent Baptist Church. In 1841 Rev. Joseph R. Morris was eledled pastor. 
He was succeeded by Rev. Marshall M. Evarts in 1842. In 1845 William B. Tolan, a 
member of the church, a young man of fine talents and address, was ordained to the 
gospel ministry, and became pastor of the congregation. After serving a short time 
it was felt that a more convenient house of worship was needed. Accordingly a lot was 
purchased on Ferry street, above Fourth, and a brick church was ere6led thereon. 
In the fall of 1848 Rev. John C. Harrison was eledled pastor, and continued nearly eight 
years in the pastoral office. Dr. Harrison was a man of fine culture and ability, but the 
congregation did not prosper under his ministry. In i860 Rev. Joseph L. Sagebeer became 
pastor. He remained but a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Skinner, and 
he in turn by Rev. J. N. Folwell. During this pastorate the congregation moved into the 
Universalist church, and they subsequently sold their property to the colored people. 
In the early part of 1870 Rev. Andrew Armstrong, of Frenchtown, N. J., was called to 
the pastorate. The church prospered under the ministrations of Mr. Armstrong, and 
through his perseverance and energy the present commodious house of worship on the 
corner of Ferry and Walnut streets was built. Rev. Mr. Armstrong was followed by 
Rev. James W. Hartpence in 1878. The next pastor was Rev. Edwin McMinn, and after 
remaining about two years he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Marshall. 
His pastorate continued over five years. During this time a commodious parsonage was 
purchased, situated on the corner of Seventh and Ferry streets, and the debt of the church 
entirely removed. Mr. Marshall left the church in a very prosperous condition, and was 
succeeded by Rev. E. H. Stewart, the present pastor. 

MORAVIAN CHURCH. 

The Forks of the Delaware was included in the setlion covered by the early Mora- 
vian Missionaries, but the efforts of the latter to render it a permanent station of that 
denomination did not meet with success. The course of time and the growth of the 
importance of Easton as the metropolis of the county, caused the removal thereto of many 
members of that denomination from Bethlehem, Nazareth, etc. During the year 1888 
zealous eflforts were made among those residents whose descent or sedtarian views natu- 
rally affiliated them with that society. .\ church meeting of these was convened, a con- 
gregation formed, and the assembly room of the old Masonic Hall at Ferry and South 
Third streets, engaged for regular services. This congregation, although not large is 
zealous, and efforts towards the erection of a church edifice are now being made. 



DOCTORS OF E ASTON. 




■|()NCERNING the early members of the bar and of the ministry the his- 
tory of Easton is very explicit. But it is not quite so clear concerning 
the early physicians of the community. After the most diligent search 
the historian must conclude that Do(?tor Andrew Ledlie was the first physi- 
cian of Easton. His name is found first in 1771, appended to a letter 
addressed to Lewis Gordon, containing unfavorable news from the unhappy 
contest in Wyoming Valley. (Col. Records, Vol. IX.) His name is next 
met in 1776, in a resolution of censure passed by the Committee of Safety 
in Easton. His name again appears in the proceedings in the Council 
of Safety in Philadelphia, in which he was appointed Surgeon of the 12th Pa. 
Regt., commanded by Col. Wm. Cook. In 1787 his name appears as chair- 
man of a public meeting in Easton, at which resolutions were passed opposing the adlion 
of the General Assembly. The Council of Safety in Philadelphia looked upon the reso- 
lutions as seditious, and ordered the Attorney General to prosecute Dr. Ledlie and other 
leaders of the meeting. The resolutions had reference to the contest in Wyoming 
Valley. (Col. Records, Vol. XV.) In the resolution of censure passed by the Commit- 
tee of Safety in Easton in 1776, he was spoken of as having lived in Easton " many years. " 
His name appears in the tax list of 1781, where he was taxed for 468 pounds, and David 
Wagner was taxed 1151 pounds. Where he was born, educated, when, where, or how he 
died, the writer was not able to find. His name is mentioned as late as 1788, in the Coun- 
cil at Philadelphia, which is only si,x years before the advent of Dr. Cooper in Easton. 
So, it is quite likely that Dr. Ledlie's professional services continued up to the arrival of 
Dr. Cooper. The last named gentleman was born at Long Hill, Morris county. New 
Jersey. He studied medicine with Dr. Caleb Halstead, of Conne6licut Farms, and after- 
wards with Dr. Melanchthon Freeman, of Middlesex county. He completed his medical 
course with Drs. Richard Ballay and Wright Post, in the city of New York, and was 
licensed to praftice in New Jersey, November 6, 1787, and immediately afterwards was 
admitted to membership in the New Jersey Medical Society. He came to Easton in 
November, 1794, where he spent the remainder of his life in the pursuit of his calling. 
His reputation for skill in his profession was such, that for many years a large proportion 
of the most difficult cases were visited by him in consultation with others, and not until 
increasing infirmities prevented did he cease to visit the sick and suffering. For more 
than fifty years he was the family physician of the most intelligent people of Easton, and 
here and in the neighborhood he received the confidence of the people. In 1799 Gov- 
ernor Mifflin appointed him Judge of Common Pleas, which position he held contin- 
uously for forty years. 

MEDICAL SOCIETY OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 

Previous to 1849 there was no medical society in Northampton county, and every 
physician was a law unto himself There was no common principle of acflion among the 
medical fraternity. In 1S49 a call was published at the instance of Dr. Traill Green, in the 



1^ ^ 




- .^tiT:j-L.lli\, 



Hnini Hrfuullrr i-H.Il, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 439 

papers of Eastoti to the physicians of the county, to meet in Easton, in the Armory, for 
the purpose of forming a Medical Society for the county. Twenty-two physicians met 
according to the call, and formed a medical society, adopting a constitution and by-laws. 
Twelve of the twenty-two were from Easton. There were thirty-four regular physicians 
in the county. Of the twelve from Easton nine have died in the following forty years, 
leaving but three of the twelve — Doctors Traill Green, Amos Seip and Samuel Sandt. 
The 40th anniversary of the founding of the Society was celebrated at Paxinosa Inn, July 
10, 1889, specially in honor of Dr. Green. (See page 318 for sketch of life.) At this 
August gathering, Dr. S. J. Weaver presided. Dr. Green gave an address on " Medicine 
Forty Years Ago;" Dr. Amos Seip, read an interesting article giving a history of the 
" Forty Years of Medical Life," and Dr. W. L. EstesofSt. Luke's Hospital read an article on 
" Medicine to-day." Prof. J. W. Moore, M. D., of Lafayette College, responded to the toast 
"Our Honored Guest." The Professor was very happy in his remarks concerning the 
veteran physician of Easton, and closed with the following beautiful lines : 

" Where, pure and pale, the starlight streams " Far, far from him the mournful hour 

Far down the Alpine slope, , That brings the final Call, 

Still through eternal Winter gleams i And. o'er his scenes of grace and power 

The snowy flower of hope, -FatE lets the Curtain fall ! 

Undimmed by cloud, undrenched by tears, -And, O, when sounds that knell of wrath 

So may his laurel last, To his pure soul be given, 

While shines o'er all his future years A painless Exit from the earth 

The rainbow of the Past." And Entrance into Heaven !" 

Dr. Green made a happy reply to Prof. Moore. Rev. Dr. Thos. Porter, LL. D. , 
of Lafayette College, responded to the toast, "The Natural Sciences." The Dodlor stands 
among the leading botanists of the scientific world, and his remarks were well received. 



DR. JOSEPH K. SWIFT 
Was forniany years a prominent physician of Easton. He was a pupil of Dr. J. S. Dorsey, ofthe University of 
Pennsylvania, from which institution he received his degree in 1816, and soon after opened an office in Easton. 
He was a neighbor of Dr Samuel Gross, and they were quite intimate in their study of the mineralogy of the 
region. In the pursuit of the study of this science. Dr. Swift became quite eminent, so much so as to attra<5t 
the attention of mineralogists in Europe as well as in America. Professor Benjamin Silliman, of Yale College, 
visited him in 1824, and greatly admired the beautiful cabinet of minerals, which he had discovered in the 
vicinity. Among these was what he called "Noble Serpentine," which, he thought, was clearly entitled to 
rank as a distindl mineral species. He also found splendid "crystals of Zircon," and very beautiful crystal- 
lized mica in long hexagonal prisms. Dr. S- was a good physician and a lover and successful student of science. 

DR. STEWART KENNEDY 
Was another physician, coming a little later into practice. He was a graduate of the University of Pennsylva- 
nia in 1820, and was a resident of Easton. He enjoyed the confidence, and had a large share of the praftice 
of the town. He continued in pradtice until 1S41, when he retired and purchased a fine farm in Chambers- 
burg, Pa. 

DR. SAMUEL GWINNER 

Graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1823, and enjoyed for a time the benefit of hospital practice, 
and wrote a thesis on fever at the almshouse in 1821. He was considered a well educated physician, and 
pradliced his profession for some years. He died in 1S43. 

DR. HENRY DETWILLER 
Was a distinguished American physician and scientist, and at the time of his death was the oldest homoeo- 
pathic medical pratlitioner in the United States. He was born in the village of Langenbruck, Canton Basel 



440 THE HISTORY OF 

Land, Switzerland, December iS, 1795, and died at his residence in Easton, April 21, 1887. He was nearly 
ninety-two years of age at the time of his death. He is pleasantly remembered by many people of Easton 
when carrying the weight of ninety years on his stooping shoulders walking through the streets in the per- 
formance of his daily toil. When quite a child he showed aptitude for study, and his parents gave him the 
best advantages in his early mental growth. At thirteen he closed his studies in his native village, and entered 
a French Institute at St. Imniier, where he spent two years. Having decided to study medicine, at the age of 
fifteen he began his studies as a private pupil of Dr. Laurentius Serm, a graduate of the University of Wurz- 
burg. Three years later he entered the Medical Department of the University of Freyburg, in the Grand 
Duchy of Baden. Here he spent five terms of six months each. At this time a dream of the death of his 
father impressed him so forcibly that he immediately hurried to his home, and arrived just in time to witness 
his death. In this journey he was fined for traveling without a passport. He determined to come to America 
where he could go from city to city without a passport. He supplied himself with surgical instruments, bade 
good-bye to his mother and to Europe, and came to America. Thoroughly qualified for the pratflice of his 
profession, he was appointed physician to the ship whose passengers numbered over 400. He was twenty-one 
years of age when he sailed for America. His skill and the devotion to his charge won the approval and ad- 
miration of the officers. Dr. Detwiller came to AUentown in 1817. In the spring of i<Si8, he removed to 
Hellertown, Northampton county. Pa , where he was married in 1S18 to Miss Appel, of Hellertown. Seven 
children were the fruit of this marriage. He was an early convert to the system of Hahnem.Tnn, and on July 
23. 1S28, dispensed the first remedy sele<5led in accordance with the laws of "similia siniilibus curantur.'' He 
followed this system during the remainder of his life. His wife died in 1835. In 1836 he visited Europe, 
accompanied by his eldest son Charles. He met, while in Paris, and became acquainted with Hahnemann, the 
founder of homoeopathy. In 1852 Dr. Detwiller moved to Easton. where he spent thirty-five years in busy 
toil. He had a very large pradlice, including people of every walk in life. He was the pioneer of the new 
school in medicine. Though he met with opposition at first, that died away and he lived pleasantly with 
do<5lors of the old school. He will always be remembered as a man of high attainments in science, a Christian 
gentleman, the American leader in the " New School of Medical Art," a true, genial friend, and a pleasant 
companion. With a vigor of mind and body, exceptional and wonderful, he continued to pradlice almost to 
the day of his death. About three weeks before his death, he rose early, visited a patient, and returning fell 
and struck his head on the pavement. Two weeks after his fall, on the morning of April 21, 1SS7, he passed 
quietly away surrounded by his children. He was the oldest man at the time of his death in Easton, and 
probably the oldest praftitioner in the world The venerable man left many friends endeared to him. 

CRIDLAND CROCKER FIELD, 

Who was so well and so long known as a physician and surgeon, having passed about fifty years of his life in 
the practice of his profession, died suddenly Friday morning, December 3, 1886. He died from neuralgia of 
the heart, which all remedies were helpless to relieve. The evening before he was ac^live as usual, and there 
was no sign of approaching dissolution. Tlie painful news spread rapidly, and there was no sign of approach- 
ing dissolution. The painful news spread rapidly, and there was none but must have felt that death cut short 
a useful and energetic life. At the time of his decease Dr. Field had almost filled the measure of seventy 
years ; and there is no doubt that his European trip, taken a few years since, served to prolong his days. Dr. 
Field was born on board the ship " Ann " on her arrival from England, within the bounds of Queen's county. 
New York, on February 18, 1817. In his name was incorporated that of the captain (Crocker) who covered 
him with the American flag. The family first went to Philadelphia, thence to Plainfield, Northampton county, 
and then returned to Philadelphia. In that city the young man pursued a classical course, and afterward 
became a private student in the office of Dr. Wm. E. Horner, late professor of anatomy in the University of 
Pennsylvania, and author of "Homer's Anatomy." He graduated from the University with honor in 1837. 
His ancestors for several generations were medical men. One was graduated from the University of London 
and was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and another was a student of Sir Astley Cooper. Dr. 
Field's father pracfliced in Philadelphia in the company of such men as Physick, McClellan, etc. In 1838 
Dr. Field came to Northampton county and locating for the time in Bethlehem, married there in that 3'ear, 
Susan Freeman, daughter of Jacob and Susan Freeman. He shortly afterward removed to Easton, where he 
had prafticed his profession, almost uninterruptedly for well nigh fifty years. Many of the most difficult 
operations in surgery were performed by him successfully, and his skill and professional knowledge often 
caused him to be called into consultation with other physicians and to be summoned as an expert witness. 
The difficulties of the case only stimulated his aftion, and stirred his ambition. Among the more notable 
operations he performed were the removal of a cervical tumor with ligation and excision of considerable part 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 441 

of the internal jugular vein ; excision of the entire femur ; excision of the entire radius extirpation of the 
parotid gland ; operation of larj-ngial tracheotomj% hip joint operation, etc. His great operations were mostly 
performed on the neck, from which he removed tumors that had entirely encompassed the cartoid artery. 
In his practice and otherwise he never turned a deaf ear to the call of the poor, and his humanity led him often 
to undertake responsibilities without hope of reward. His books bear evidence to a sum equal to a fortune 
uncollected from the needy. One of the most satisfactory achievements of his life to himself was the removal 
of a shawl pin from the wind-pipe of a little girl named Castuer, of South Easton. For eleven days the sufferer 
had been apparentlj' at death's door, and no one would attempt the operation ; after the successful perform- 
ance of which by him the child stretched out her hand in thankfulness, which recognition to the doctor was 
more than money. This is but one instance. His pride in and love for his profession were well marked, and 
no amount of business prevented him from keeping abreast of the advance of his profession, as recorded in the 
medical journals and reviews. His cheerfulness in the sick room was proverbial, as was his usual genial nature. 
His energy at all seasons was alike and his powerful constitution and determined will served him well. He 
ever maintained that temperance was indispensable to a successful medical career. He was a conscientious 
teacher of medical men and was the preceptor of a large number of physicians who are now successful prac 
titioners. He had many social qualities, was widely read outside of his profession, and thoroughly posted in 
literature and the history of the day. Though in his seventieth year, he was very aAive and fond of company. 
He was interested in charity and a liberal giver, but in a quiet way. He was a member of the old Easton 
Lodge, F. and A. M., and was one of the originators of the Odd Fellows in Easton. He was also a member of 
Trinity Episcopal Church, Easton. He sustained a severe shock in 1884 in the sudden death of his esteemed 
wife, who had written him just before he sailed for home after his European trip, and who died a day or two 
before his vessel reached New York. This trip, taken with his son. Dr. B. Rush Field, had greatly benefitted 
his health, but the blow received at the intelligence of his wife's demise very nearly dissipated the effect of the 
relaxation while abroad His wonderful recuperative powers, however, served him well and he lived through 
that sad hour and terrible strain. 

DR. DANIEL LACHENOUR 
Was for more than forty years one of Easton's leading and highly respefted citizens, and one of the most esteemed 
and conscientious physicians. He was born in Salem, North Carolina, Dec. 8, 1804, and educated in the Moravian 
church, to which he adhered through life. He remained at Salem till he was seventeen years old, when he came to 
Philadelphia. From there he removed to Bethlehem, where he would find the religious surroundings of his childliood. 
Having chosen medicine as his profession, he entered the office of Dr. .Abraham Stout, and under his efficient instruc- 
tion, he studied for three years. He then entered the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated at that institution 
with distinguished honors in 1829. His thesis upon graduation was Ptyalism, which was so handled as to receive the 
warmest praise from the faculty. In July, 1S30, he married Miss Henry, of Philadelphia, and in 1832 he came to Easton, 
where he remained until his death, which resulted from aneurism of the aorta. He ranked high with the members of 
the profession, and his opinions were always regarded with the greatest respect. He was thoroughly in love with his 
profession. No night was too dark, no day too cold, rarely a storm too severe to keep him from the bedside of the 
sick. Warm in his friendship, thoroughly versed in the details of his duty, he built up for himself a reputation as 
widespread as it was deserving. He spoke German with ease, which greatly aided him in his work. When he came 
to Easton he took the practice of Dr. Samuel Gross, who had an office in a small frame building where the First 
National Bank now stands. The friendship between Drs. Lachenour and Gross continued warm through life. No 
man was too poor to demand the professional attendance of Dr. Lachenour. His relations with his medical brethren 
were happy and in entire accord with the ethics of the profession, and his close adherence to these social duties are 
worthy of imitation. On the occasion of his death, a large gathering of medical men from Easton and vicinity met in 
the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association and passed resolutions warmly eulogistic of the dead Doctor. 

DR. AMOS SEIP. 
Dr. Amos Seip, one of the three living who aided in forming, the Northampton Medical Society, was 
born in Easton in 1S22. His father, Michael Seip, was of German parentage, whose ancestors were driven 
from the Palatinate in the religious persecution of the seventeenth century. Mr. Seip received his early edu- 
cation in the schools of Easton, and pursue 1 the stu ly of his profession uuder the tuition of Dr. J. P. B. Sloan, 
an eminent physician of Easton. He then entered the office of Dr. C. C. Field, a well known physician and 
surgeon. He subsequently became a private pupil of Drs Harris. Hartshorne and Kane, the latter familiarly 
known from his Arctic explorations, all of Philadelphia- He received his medical degree from tlie University 
of Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1S4S. He commenced practice at Freemansburg, where he remained until 
1856, when here moved to Easton, and has continued to practice here In 1863 the doctor became a member of the 
State Medical Society, and is one of the ex-vice presidents of that body He became a member of the .\merican 



442 



THE HISTORY OF 



Medical Association in 1864, and was a member of the International Medical Congress held in Philadelphia during 
the centennial. He was President of the Northampton Medical Society in 1875. During the late war the 
do(5tor was appointed surgeon of the ''Invalid Corps," stationed at Easton, where a hospital was established. 
The corps consisted of soldiers suffering from chronic affetflions and wounds that prevented aftive service in 
the field, but were sent to the front as rapidly as possible after recovery. Dr. Seip has been awake to the 
advancement of medical science, and was a leading advocate for the use of the microscope in the profession 
He was instrumental in establishing the Lehigh Valley Microscopial Society in 18S1, which was organized in 
his office. For more than forty years Dr Seip has followed his profession, and is still adtive and energetic in 
his work. He has kept up with the advance of medical science, and has always had the entire confidence of 
the fraternity. He is always attentive in his work, patient in his ministrations, faithful as a physician, trust- 
ful as a friend, prompt in duty and honorable in his dealings with all. He is genial and courteous in his inter- 
course in social life, cheerful and hopeful in the chamber of suffering, which does so much to assuage the 
pains of the patient He is careful and deliberate in his diagnosis, decided in his treatment, which qualifica- 
tions have won for him a position in the front rank of his profession. 

DR JOHN J. DETWILLER 

Of Easton was associated with his father for many years, and resides in the family home. He prepared for 
college in the school of Dr. Vanderveer and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1854. He returned 
dire<flly to Easton, and entered into pracflice with his father, and remained with him until his death, a period 
of thirtv-three years. He stands eminent as a surgeon, in his school of practice. He has been particularly 
successful in lithotomy, and has preserved many of the calculi taken from the bladder, and some of them five 
inches in circumference. In this painful ailment he has never failed in the use of the scalpel. He has been 
successful also in the removal of the lense in cataradl. 

DOCTOR SAMUEL SANDT 

Was born in Lower Mount Bethel in 1S15. He received his early training in the schools of his native town. 
He spent about one year and a half in Lafayette College, and one session at Gettysburg. He studied medicine 
with Dr. H. H- Abernethy, who is now living in Jersey City. He took a course of lecftures in the University of 
Pennsylvania, and received his diploma from that institution in 1844. He married Miss Susan Fleming, and 
they have a family of three sons and four daughters, and six grandchildren living. He began praiflice in 
Plainfield township, and came to Easton in 1S48. He served three years as surgeon of the 85th Pennsylvania 
Regiment in the war of the Rebellion. He has been successful in his calling He is now an invalid, suffer- 
ing from partial paralysis, and confined to his home. 

The following is an alphabetical list of the physicians of Easton. Dr. Green is the 
oldest, having been fifty-four years in the profession, and his name is widely known as a 
scientist, as well as an eminent physician. Drs. Ludlow, Sandt, Seip, Cavanaugh, Arndt, 
Detwiller, Engleman, Roseberry, Hunt and Lanbach stand next in length of time in 
service, and are regarded as men whose skill has been enhanced by close attention to their 
duties. And there is still a younger class, aAive in duty, patient and faithful in their 
work, some of whom have acquired a standing which call for their services out of the city. 

Peter Arndt, ; David Engelman, Anna M. McAllister, 

Oliver E. E. Arndt, William E. Evans, H. D. Michler, 

S. S. Apple, Howard Fackenthal, Charles Mclntire, 

S. S. Bachman, Rush B. Field, Isaac Ott, 

A. C. Bachman, Geo. B. Wood Field, Charles I. Roseberry, 

James Cavanaugh, Sr., Trail Green, Samuel Sandt, 

James Cavanaugh, Jr., Edgar M. Green, William E. Sclioch, 

Brcntano Clemens, , John Trail Green, Amos Seip, 

Charles U. Collmar, Jacob B. Heller, | M. S. Seip, 

William C. Cox, I Joseph S. Hunt, John J. Serfass, 

William Deats, Peter N. Jacobus, j William F. Shick, 

John J. Detwiller, : Stephen Laubach, 1 Edward C. Swift, 

Horace L. Detwiller, j Henry D. Lachenour, 1 S. P. Uhler, 

E. D. Uoolittle, ! Alfred H. Lee, I Robley D. Walters, 

Samuel Edelman, lacob R . Ludlow, ' Henry F. Weaver. 



THE CEMETERIES. 




HE FIRST public burial ground within the present city limits is located 
at the corner of Fifth and Church streets. This land was a gift from the 
heirs of William Penn, and holds the remains of William Parsons, notable 
in the annals of Easton's survey and earliest history. 

The lot adjoining St. John's Lutheran Church on Ferry between 
Fourth and Bank streets was for a long time used as the grave yard for 
members of that congregation. Within it the remains of George Taylor 
were laid to rest. Nearly all the bodies are now in the Easton Cemetery. 
The Presbyterian burial ground adjoins the church of that denomina- 
tion at Second and Bushkill streets, extending to the Bushkill Creek. 

The first Hebrew burial ground was near the Synagogue on Si.xth 
street and was donated to the congregation by Michael Hart, the first Hebrew settler in 
Easton. Later a lot between Twelfth and Thirteenth, and extending from Washington 
to Butler streets, was utilized by the congregation. In 1888 the burial ground on Sixth 
street was sold and the bodies removed. 

A few bodies whose resting places are still marked by tombstones may be found on 
the lot connecfted with Trinity Episcopal Church, at Spring Garden street. 

At one time a grave yard adjoined the Second street Methodist edifice, but many 
years have elapsed since interments have taken place in that locality. 

St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery is located at the corner of Fifth and Lehigh streets, 
and adjoins the church. 

THE EASTON CEMETERY. 
During 1849, in the progress of a course of leelures at St. John's Lutheran Church, 
Dr. Traill Green called attention to the advisability of locating mausoleums at a distance 
and apart from centres of population. He prepared a paper of which the following is a copy : 

Eastox, Pa., March 15, :849. 

"The subscribers being convinced that onh- ver}- limited provision can be made for interment within the 
Borough of Easton, and persuaded that :nany advantages would be secured to themselves and future inhabi- 
tants of the Borough, by establishing at a convenient point in the neighborhood, do hereby agree to unite in 
forming a public cemetery to be located in the country. The following are the conditions ; 

ist .\s soon as a sufficient number of names are procured, a meeting shall be called to appoint a Commit- 
tee to select the ground 

2d. An architect, familiar with cemetery improvements, shall be called to examine the grounds selected, 
and the Committee shall report to the subscribers at a general meeting. 

3d. jManagers shall be eleCled to purchase the grounds, and attend to the business of the Company as shall 
be directed by a constitution hereafter framed. 

4th. No speculation in lots shall be permitted, the object being to furnish all with suitable burial lots, and 
to enclose and keep in permanent order and beauty the cemetery by the proceeds of the sale of lots." 

This paper was circulated and was signed by one hundred and twenty-two of the citi- 
zens of Easton. On the 2nd of April, 1849, the subscribers met and appointed a com- 
mittee to examine the various localities proposed. Thomas T. Miller, then a young man, 
took strong ground, as one of the corporate members, in favor of the present locality, and 
his good judgment is seen in the topography and tasteful and artistic adornment of the 
beautiful and sacred spot. The laud was bought of Mr. David Wagner, the price paid was 



444 



THE HISTORY OF 



$6,000. Additional land was bouglit of Mr. Michael Butz at $175 per acre. William L. 
Sebring and Dr. Traill Green made the last purchase. The entire quantity of ground 
was about forty acres, thirty-five from Mr. Wagner and five from Mr. Butz. 

The A(5l incorporating the cemetery was approved April 5, 1849. Traill Green, 
John J. Burke, Samuel Ludwig, Samuel Drinkhouse, John Green, Jr., Philip Mixsell, 
Jacob Weygandt, Edward F. Stewart, George Field, Thomas T. Miller, Theodore Mixsell, 
Samuel Moore, Peter S. Michler and George W. Housel were the corporate members of 
the company. The grounds have been laid out in plots, carriage ways and foot paths, 
beautifully adorned by ornamental shade trees, shrubs and flowering plants. The spot is 
very beautiful by nature, and made more so by art. There is a neat little chapel, 




(;atev\'ay at km'ranck to kasi(in cemktery. 



built of stone in which services can be held by those coming from a distance to burv their 
dead. Tiiere are many costly monuments, on the construction of which the skill of the 
artist has been freely bestowed, and which help to give a melancholy pleasure to those 
who spend an hour in meditations among the tombs. There are pretty little summer 
houses where the weary wanderer can sit and rest, as he gazes upon this quiet city of the 
dead, and inhale the fragrance of the flowers arranged with so much care by sorrowing 
ones, and so often watered by their tears. 

There is a neat cottage near the entrance of the Cemetery for the residence of the 
Superintendent. The approach to the Cemetery is through North Seventh street, up a 
gentle ascent, and through a triple arch-way, built of red granite. Free access is allowed 
during the weekdays, but on the Sabbath tickets of admission are necessary and are only 
issued to plot owners. 



COMMERCIAL FACILITIES. 




I^'ASTON is but one hundred and fifty years old, and yet it lias passed through 
a more changeful period than any of equal length since creation, and in 
no feature of social life is this more evident than in the methods of com- 
mercial intercourse. Ernest Becker was a German immigrant, a baker by 
trade. He came to Easton when there were but three houses here and 
followed his calling under great difficulties, being compelled to bring his 
flour from Bethlehem on his back along Indian paths. Horses were used 
as they were obtainable. Articles were brought a great distance on the 
backs of horses, sometimes as far as Williamsport and also to and from 
Philadelphia till 1792 ; wagons were used with difficulty previous to that 
time, owing to bad roads. As soon as roads were made, heavy wagons were 
brought into use for summer and sleds for winter. Easton became a commercial centre 
for a large region. As early as 1758 Durham boats were used on the Delaware, floating 
down with the current, and being brought back against the current by the use of long 
poles pressed against the river bottom. These boats were the vehicles of commerce till 
the canals were opened, uniting Easton with New York and Philadelphia. The canal 
connecfting Easton with Philadelphia was begun in 1828 as a work of doubtful expedi- 
ency. But the canal did a great deal for Easton. The Durham boatmen vented their 
feelings against the canal as only sailors can. These boats had controlled the commerce 
of the valley for seventy years, and they did their work well. During all this period these 
boatmen of the Delaware carried heavy remittances with astern honesty never excelled 
by any body of men ; and it is remarkable, that not an instance of defalcation, even in the 
smallest amount, was known. They were rollicking, generous-hearted, open-handed men, 
as ready for fun and frolic as they were for toil. They felt as much pride in their boats as 
ever filled the breast of the sailors treading the deck of a man-of-war when going into 
battle. As the canal approached completion they saw their employment was about to 
change. The joyful songs which had echoed so long among the hills and valleys would 
soon cease and the Durham boats pass away forever. They felt somewhat as the Indians 
felt when driven from the graves of their fathers. The Morris canal was finished in 1S32, 
and thus opened communication with New York. The commercial advantages of Easton 
now seemed complete, as they had ready communication with the two largest cities in the 
country, and they felt they needed nothing better for commercial intercourse with the out- 
side world. But the spirit of progress was about to bring greater changes still. The rail- 
road would do for the canals what the canal had done for the Durham boats. The Cen- 
tral railroad of New Jersey was opened to Easton July 2, 1852. The first train of cars 
arrived at Phillipsburg about 2 o'clock on the above date. It was a great day for Easton. 
There were eight passenger cars containing sixty passengers in each. A procession was 
formed and marched across the bridge to Easton. Thirty-two guns were fired on Mount 
Jefferson, all the bells were rung, flags were displayed on every hand, and every manifes- 
tation of joy was exhibited by the people. A platform was ereeied at the old Court House. 



446 



THE HISTORY OF 



Speeches were made by Andrew H. Reeder, Esq., Judge Nar, Charles King, J. P. Jackson, 
Erastus Brook and others. 

On Friday, February 3, 1854, the Belvudere Delaware Railroad was opened to Phil- 
lipsburg. There was a special train of fifteen cars, twelve of which were filled with people 
from Philadelphia, and the remainder with citizens of New Jersey, among whom were the 
Governor, heads of departments, and members of the Legislature of the State, numbering 
in all about one thousand persons. As the train approached it was announced by the 
firing of cannon, ringing of bells and vociferous shouts of the multitude at various points 
to welcome the coming of a horse of iron, and the friendly burden it was hurrying 
to the " Forks of the Delaware." All felt it was a day of joy, and that all had a right to 
shout, which they did with a "right good will." The bands played patriotic airs, the 
















}'n. \%^. ■} w "^> r?^,\g?^. 



r 







DESIGN OF THE NEW LEHIGH V.^LLEV DEPOT. 
(From Architfcts' Drawiug. By S. Kind.) 



people shouted and sang to express their joy — Easton would be connected with the com- 
mercial capital of Pennsylvania — would be within three hours ride of Philadelphia. At 
half-past one the train arrived at the depot in Phillipsburg, where a procession was 
formed by the marshal and escorted over the bridge by the committee, consisting of 
H. D. Ma.Kwell, James M. Porter, J. N. Hutchinson, David Barnet and Samuel Wetherill. 
Andrew H. Reeder made the welcome address. There was never a happier throng on 
the banks of the Delaware. 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad was at first incorporated under the name of the Delaware, 
Lehigh, Schuylkill and Susquehannah Railroad Company by the A61 of Assembly April 



A'.^STON, PENN'A. 



447 



21, 1846. The subscription of stock was slow, and it was not until August, 1847, that a 
sufficient amount of stock was secured. At the elecftion of officers of the company James 
M. Porter was eledled president, Dudley S. Gregory, John S. Dorsey, John P. Jackson, 
Daniel Mclntyre, Edward Riddle, John N. Hutchinson, managers, and John N. Hutch- 
inson, secretary. On the 7th of January, 1853, the name of the company was changed to 
the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, and on the loth of that month James M. Porter was 
elected president. Asa Packer contracted to construdl the road, and on Nov. 27, 1852, 
began the deep rock cut at Easton. The road was completed and accepted by the company 
Sept. 24, 1855, and has become a very important one for business, connecting as it does, the 
coal region with New York and Philadelphia, and opening communication with the West. 
Ground is being broken near the southern entrance of the Lehigh bridge for the erection 




LEHIGH AND SUSQUEHANNA DEPOT. 
(Drawn by S. Kind.) 

of the finest modern depot in the whole Lehigh Valley. (See engraving.) Geo. W. 
Hayden, of Easton, contractor. 

The Lehigh and Susquehanna is the only line of steam railway whose tracks lie in the 
city limits. It extends from Easton to Green Ridge, two miles above Scranton. It enters 
Easton along the left bank of the Lehigh. The first charter of a portion of this road 
(Wilkesbarre to White Haven) was obtained as early as 1837, but a charter for the entire 
length was not obtained until 1863. The road was completed to a connexion with the 
New Jersey Central at Easton in 1865, and leased to that road March 31, 1871. In 1885 
the old Fourth street depot was burned and a worn out passenger car was used as a ticket 
office and waiting room until 1889. The company has just completed a beautiful and 
commodious depot at the foot of South Fourth Street. (See engraving.) Geo. W. Hayden, 
of Easton, contractor. 



STREET ILLUMINATION. 




NTIL quite a recent date great or small cities knew nothing of lighted 
streets — darkness reigned supreme. Two or three hundred years ago the 
great cities of Europe were making efforts to obtain some relief from dark- 
ened streets, and in 1416 the householders in London were ordered to hang 
out lanterns in front of their houses on winter evenings This custom 
was in pracflice for three hundred years, but as no person was obliged to 
keep them lighted later than eleven o'clock, the remainder of the night 
was in total darkness. As these lamps were made of thin horn, very little 
light was afforded by them. Public lanterns were first thought of a little 
over two hundred years ago, and they were first introduced into Paris in 1667, 
and the introduction was hailed as a great event. The age of oil lamps 
came about the year 1762. It was not till 1807 that coal gas began to be used in lighting 
some of the cities of Europe, but the first attempt to use gas in the United States was at 
Baltimore in 1816, or 1821. It was introduced into Boston in 1822, and the following 
year it was used in New York. The early public lighting of Easton was obtained from 
fat, oil and candles ; whale oil, camphene and etherial oil followed each other in the 
efforts to dispel the darkness of the streets. 

EASTON GAS COMPANY. 

On March 4, 1850, by A<?t of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, David Connor, 
Washington McCartney, Jacob H. Wilking, James A. Dunlap, Theodore R. Sitgreaves, 
William Hackett, Joseph Savitz, Joseph Hagenbuch, George W. Barnet, Matthew Hale 
Jones, Peter Bellis, Peter Pomp and Thomas Bishop, were made a body corporate by the 
name of the Easton Gas Company. William Hackett is now (1889) the only original 
incorporator living. The charter fixed the capital stock at $40,000, with the right to 
increase it to $100,000, and a subsequent enacftment gave the right to increase the capital 
stock to $200,000. 

The works of the company first went into operation in 1851, on Thanksgiving night, 
and the first bills presented for gas were to one hundred and sixty-five consumers. The 
people of Easton had an additional reason for thanksgiving — the streets were well lighted, 
and very many inconveniences became relics of the past. The number of street lamps at 
first was nineteen, and the price of gas was four dollars per thousand feet, the average 
consumption was four thousand one hundred feet. 

In 1854 the Legislatures of New Jersey and Pennsylvania permitted the company to 
light the streets of Phillipsburg, and in the same year an enatlment was obtained permitting 
the gas company to light the streets of South Easton. The company at first experienced 
great embarrassment, but with the increase of population business increased, and the 
company has met with marked success. The works have the capacity of 125,000 cubic 
feet per day of twent\-four hours. The largest tank was built in 1872, being seventy 
feet two inches in diameter, and thirty feet deep. The gas holders will store 190,000 
cubic feet. 



E ASTON, PE NN 'A. 



449 



The first ele(5\ion under the charter was held at the public house of Mrs. White, in 
Centre Square, on the fifth of May, 1851. Matthew Hale Jones, J. M. Porter, Washington 
McCartney, P. H. Mattes, Jacob Weygandt, G. W. Barnet, Thomas Deshler, Trail Green 
and Jacob Rader were chosen diredlors. The Board was organized by electing Matthew 
Hale Jones, President ; Washington McCartney, Secretary ; P. H. Mattes, Treasurer. 
Samuel Boileau is now President and Nelson Hoyt, Superintendent. 

ELECTRIC LIGHTS. 
The history of the introdutlion of elecflric light into Easton is of deep interest. After 
the burning of Pardee Hall (June 4, 1879), and while the ladies of Easton were getting 




SOUTH THIRD STREET, iSSy. 
(From Photograph by Pach.) 

up a fair for the refurnishing of the new building, Mr. William Young conceived the idea 
of lighting the hall in Porter's Block with eletlricity, but Mr. Henry Fulmer very gen- 
erously procured Able Hall, and so Mr. Young abandoned the idea, and placed his 
light in the northeast corner of the Centre Square. He obtained a dynamo making 
three hundred and eighty revolutions per minute, to which was attached a Baxter ten- 
horse power engine, and the Square was ablaze with a three thousand candle power light. 
In the spring of 1888 another enterprise was started. A charter was obtained at that 
time by H. G. Tombler, Charles Seitz, C. B. Hetrich, James J. Cope and James K. Dawes, 
under the name of the Electric Lighting Company. Their objecl: was to combine the arc 



450 



THE HISTORY OF 



and incandescent systems. This the Edison people would not permit, and because of this 
and other difficulties, the effort was abandoned. The credit of having introduced the first 
incandescent light into Easton belongs to Mr. Howard Rinek. He had eredled a handsome 
dwelling on College Hill and had it illuminated by the Weston United States incandes- 
cent light. There are sixty lights throughout his dwelling, which are supplied by a 
dvnamo making fourteen hundred revolutions per minute, and run by an automatic 
engine of two-horse power. This he claims is cheaper than gas. In the winter of 1885 
and '86 Cornell & Michler placed the incandescent lights into their store. They used the 
United States system with a Brush dynamo, and they had twenty lamps in their place of 
business. These were different from the Edison horse shoe, being spiral, so as to get 
more incandescent surface. The engine was run by a water motor, but the high tax 
for the water compelled its abandonment. In 1882 the Armoux Hockhausen light 
was again introduced by private enterprise. Mr. John V. Stout undertook to supply 
stores and business places with this light. He also made an offer to the city to light 
the streets at night. Some fifteen lights were placed in different stores. The d}namo 
they had in use was capable of supplying elecflricity for about twenty-five lamps, and was 
run by a Buckeye engine of forty-five horse power at H. O. Saylor's manufactory at the 
foot of South Fourth street. The light was entirely satisfadlory, and was furnished at a 
reasonable rate, but they could not induce the Borough to enter into a contract for lighting 
the streets, neither could they obtain enough private subscriptions to pay them. 
After running for a period of about three months, extending over the holidays of 1882 and 
1883, they abandoned the project, having suffered some loss. We clip from one of the 
daily papers of that time the following : "Through the energy and perseverence of Mr. 
John V, Stout, the eledlric light will be introduced into Easton by Saturday night next. 
Mr. Stout has purchased the machinery, wire and poles, and has leased power from the 
Easton Foundry Facing Fa<?tory, at the foot of South Fourth street. A gang of men will 
begin on Monday next to eredl the poles and hang the wires. The light used will be the 
Armoux invention." A great deal of interest was felt in the matter. The effort of Mr. 
Stout was an event which cast its shadow before it. People had seen the eledlric light, 
and walked in its brightness, and though Mr. Stout did not succeed at that time, and the 
bright jets were extinguished, the question of lighting Easton by electricity was settled. 
It was only a matter of time. July 3, 1885, three years after Mr. Stout had set the ball in 
motion, a petition largely signed was presented to council praying that body to take mea- 
sures to light the city with eledlricity. The petition was referred to the Police Committee, 
who made a favorable report on the 31st of the month. The committee was instructed 
to obtain reports from other places in regard to the cost of plant and running expenses. 
At this stage of the proceedings Hon. Samuel Boileau, President of the Gas Company, 
came before Council and made an offer to liberally reduce the price of gas. But slow- 
moving bodies are as difficult to stop when they get in motion as they are to start. This 
offer was made 06tober 23, 1885, and on the i8th of December the Police Committee 
consisting of Robert H. Lerch, Abraham Meyer, Henry C. Baruet, William H. Hulick 
and Charles F. Chidsey reported in favor of electric lights. The next move was to authorize 
a committee to visit other places and examine the several systems in use in different cities. 
On the recommendation of this committee, a city plant was located on Wolf street and the 
contrail for the erection of the building was given to S. P. Bachman for $4,346, he being 



E.-ISTOX, PEXN'A. 



451 



the lowest bidder. At the meeting of Council, June 18, 18S6, an eleclric light depart- 
ment was organized, consisting of one engineer, one fireman, two linemen and one super- 
intendent, the last-named to be chairman of the Electric Light Committee. The salaries 
are — engineer $600 per year, fireman $480, linemen $400. At the meeting of July 16, the 
Finance Committee reported that they had made awards for the $18,000 4-per-cent. bonds 
and had realized a premium of $360, the bonds selling for $102 and $102.^0. Charles 
F. Wert was chosen engineer, Lawrence Deichman, fireman, James Caflin and James Cal- 
ahan, linemen. The business was finished. The streets would hereafter be lighted by 




MARKET DAY IN CENTRE SQUARE, 1889. 
(From Pliotou'raph by Pach.l 

electricity. There are two engines each of sixty horse power. There are three dynamos, 
all in operation at the same time, capable of sustaining nearly one hundred lights. 

THE PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY. 

The Pennsylvania Ele6lric Light and Power Company was established at the head 
of Green street on the Bushkill Creek, in 1886. The lamps and power of this company 
are exclusively for commercial purposes, and hence can only be found in stores and fac- 
tories. The building is 80x200 feet in size and contains a sixty horse power engine driv- 
ing two dynamos of a capacity of nearly one hundred lights. The superintendent, William 
Hoff, with one inside and one outside assistant, completes the force required for the success- 
ful working of the plant. 



452 



'III I-: HTsroR y of 



KDISON ELKCTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY. 

The above named company commenced business in the early part of 1889, tlie cliarter 
members being H. G. Tombler, John T. Knight, Samuel Drake, William Young, Wil- 
liam H. Hulick, Nelson P. Cornell, and Russell C. Stewart. The officers of the company 
are H. G. Tombler, President, and Howard Rinek, Secretary. The employes are — How- 
ard Rinek, general manager ; C. S. Neiman, overseer of meter room ; Lawrence Deich- 
man and Charles Bishop, engineers ; Jacob Able and Daniel Poff, firemen ; B. F. Shaffer, 
wire chief. 

The plant is located on Ferry, near Second street, and visitors thereto will be well 
repaid by the examination of the intricate and delicate machinery required for the suc- 
cessful manipulation of the thousands of lights scattered throughout the city. This light 
is produced by subjecting a loop of carbonized bamboo in a vacuum to a white heat. The 
illumination is steady, agreeable to the eye, and is far superior for household use to any 
heretofore locally used. The building in use is of two stories, with a front of thirty and 
depth of ninety feet ; the ground floor being of concrete and the ceiling of corrugated iron. 
The fuel required is delivered dire<5tly from boats on the Lehigh to the storage bins 
by a system of chutes, and thence brought to the furnaces by eledtric elevators. Two 
engines of ninety-two horse power and four dynamos, with a colledlive capacity of over 
two thousand lights are now in position, while sufficient space remains for two more 
engines, with a corresponding increase of the dynamic force. All the dynamos are 
connedled with a regulating stand, and so perfeCl is this in the record of the lights in use, 
that the condition of the light or lights or the extinguishment of a single burner in any 
part of the city is made known to the engineer in charge, and its location told. Thus 
far the company has strung about twenty-two tons of outside, and fifty thousand feet of 
interior, wire. About twenty-five hundred lamps are now in daily use, the current being 
in force throughout the whole twenty-four hours. Besides elecftricity for illuminating 
purposes the company is prepared to furnish power for mechanical devices and heavy 
machinery. At the present writing the bellows of the new organ of the First Presby- 
terian Church is kept in motion by power from this plant. 

The second floor of tlie plant, reached by a winding staircase, contains the office of 
the general manager, meter, globe and fixture rooms, lumber and wire lofts, etc. In the 
meter room, all necessary appliances for preparing these important instruments may be 
found. The record of the heft of the plates steeped in quicksilver is made before their 
transfer to the place of use. The variations of the weight of these plates determines the 
consumption of light. The scales which decide this variation are of such delicate con- 
strucflion that an atom of dust will throw them out of equipoise. Many other instruments 
of curious use can here be found, all of which are masterpieces of the mechanics' art, but 
which want of space forbids describing. 

The company has canvassed Phillipsburg with a view of extending its wires and fur- 
nishing both public and private lights to that city, and confidently experts to very soon 
cover all the territory embraced within the city limits, extending from Union Square to 
the Catholic Church. 



TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE, 




HE HISTORY of ele6lricity in Easton, in its application to bnsiness, and 
the conveniences of life, is a matter of great interest. The laws which 
govern this wonderful force in nature have been in operation since crea- 
tion, but not till modern times have they been only partially discovered. 
Benjamin Franklin led off in the investigation of these laws, discovered 
the identity between galvanic and atmospheric electricities, and left it to 
those who should come after him to apply them to the advance of civiliza- 
tion. Galileo, in one of his dialogues on the rival systems of astronomy, 
written in 1632, puts into the mouth of one of his speakers, a reference to 
a secret art, by which, through the sympathy of the magnetic needle, " It 
would be possible to converse across the space of two or three thousand 
miles." In 1753 a letter appeared in the Scott's Magazine, Vol. XV, bearing the initials 
of C. M., and headed, "An Expeditious Method of Conveying Intelligence." This 
interesting letter starts with the remark, "That it is well known to all who are conversant 
in eledlric experiments, that the electric power may be propagated along a wire from one 
place to another, without being sensibly abated by the length of its progress." And the 
letter goes on to describe the insulation of the wires by glass or jewelers' cement, on 
supports some twenty yards apart. 

Samuel F. B. Morse, while crossing the Atlantic in 1832, from Havre to New York, 
conceived the principle of the magnetic telegraph. He at once went to work to develop 
the principle thus conceived while rocked by the ocean waves. In 1843 he had completed 
his great inventions. He had exhausted his limited means and was compelled to appeal 
to Congress for aid to put up an experimental line from Baltimore to Washington. In 
the last hours of the session of 1843 ^^'^^ ^o*^^ '^^^s passed, granting $30,000 to put up an 
experimental line of wires from Baltimore to Washington. One of the greatest inventions 
in the history of science became thus an established fa6l. 

The first telegraphic operations in Easton were commenced in the spring of 1848, 
and the office at that time was located in a basement on the north side of Centre Square. 
William Brown was appointed the first operator, who, after a short time was suc- 
ceeded by James L. Mingle, then of Easton, who held the position for a long period, and 
was succeeded by Alonzo P. Cottingham. Since that time Mr. R. O'Brien, Miss Kate 
Denny, Charles Hirschberger, James K. Simpson, John C. Alexander and William Cur- 
ren have been the managers of the Easton office in the order named. In 1873 Mr. John Say- 
lor was appointed manager of the Western Union office and is still the efficient incumbent. 
The office was moved to the building now occupied by it in 1871, and in the room 
now used in 1874. In 1887 the Superintentent's office at Phillipsburg, N. J., was closed 
and all the wires were run into this building. The business of the company here is exten- 
sive and in the main satisfactory to the public. The special newspaper reports received 
at, and daily transmitted from, Easton are very lengthy and complete. The office is 
equipped in the best style, and its wire facilities for the rapid transaction of business are 
equalled only in the larger cities. Twenty-six wires and fifteen instruments are in use. 



454 



THE iiisroR y OF 



THE TELEPHONE. 



Many people thought when the Eleftric Telegraph was established that we probably 
had reached the end of electric wonders. But after the marvelous developments of fifty 
years, Mr. Edison claims that eledlrical science is in its infancy. In some respects, the 
telephone is more wonderful than the telegraph. Bell and Gray are competitors for the 
honor of the final discovery which made the telephone an accomplished facft. Gray was 
but a few hours behind Bell in his appearance at the Patent Office in Washington, but far 
enougli behind to lose the title of discoverer of this wonderful invention. Many people 




EAST NORTHAMPTON STREET, iSSu. 
(From Pljolograph b.v Piuli.) 

claim that Gray is the rightful discoverer, while the United States Supreme Court has deci- 
ded in favor of Bell. The discovery was reported at the patent office February 14, 1876. 

The telephone was introduced in Easton through the enterprise and perseverance of 
Mr. John V. Stout, in May, 1880. He had cultivated a very thorough knowledge of elec- 
trical science, and becoming interested in the telephone, had several wires ere^led for 
private use. Later he established an exchange. Connections were soon made with all 
prominent towns in the Lehigh Valley. The exchange began its career with less than 
forty subscribers ; and only those who have the instruments fully appreciate the indebted- 
ness of our city to the enterprise, industry and perseverance of Mr. Stout. When well 
established he disposed of his interest in the business to the Pennsylvania Telephone 
Company, which assumed control on January i, 1883. Mr. W. Bampfield is now the effi- 
cient superintendent. 



CITY RAIL\A/AYS. 




[HE EASTON and South Easton Passenger Railway Company was incor- 
porated in 1866, the authorized capital being $75,000. The first officers 
were William H. Thompson, President, and Edward H. Green, Secretary 
and Treasurer. The original roadway from Centre Square to the Lehigh Val- 
ley Railroad Shops was one and three-eighth miles in length. 

In 1871 the West Ward Passenger Railway Company was chartered, 
the capitalization being $25,000, of which amount two-fifihs was paid in. 
The officers were Jacob B. Odenwelder, President, and Edward H. Green, 
Secretary and Treasurer. The road bed extended from Centre Square through 
Northampton, Walnut and Washington streets to the Forest House in 
Palmer Township. 

In 1 886 the above companies were consolidated under the style of Easton, South 
Easton and West End Passenger Railway Company. Henry A. Sage, the present head 
and manager of the company, has held the office of president continuouslv since 1876. 
By the charter, the company possesses the exclusive right^ to build and operate a passenger 
tramway on any street that is now, or may in future, be opened within the city limits. 
The Easton and Phillipsburg Passenger Railway Company extends from Centre 
Square, Easton, to Union Square, Phillipsburg, and thence the entire length of Main 
street to Cooper's Furnace. Its authorized capital is $50,000, of which $28,000 has been 
paid in. The officers are Samuel Boileau, President, and James W. Long, Secretary and 
Treasurer. 

The Traction Company which commenced business in 1888, extended at that time from 
the Third street Bushkill bridge through Chestnut and Cattell streets to the brick yard. 
During the spring of 1889 the track, notwithstanding great opposition on the part of 
property owners on North Third street, was extended to Centre Square. Much ill feeling 
was engendered, and litigation over infringement of the chartered rights of the Easton, 
South Easton and West End Railway Company loomed up. To settle the controversy 
Mr. Sage, President of the last-named corporation, purchased the property of the Traclion 
Company and began making extensive improvements thereon. Among these were con- 
nections at the Circle between the two roads and the extension of the Tra6lion Road at 
both termini, the northerly end now being within a few hundred yards of Paxinosa Inn and 
the southerly terminus the Central Railroad station, foot of South Fourth street. On the 
completion of these improvements a new company, styled the Pennsylvania Motor Com- 
pany, took the eledlric road franchise, and with the e.xtra travel caused by the guests of 
Paxinosa Inn, the improvement of the picnic grounds at the northerly end of the road, viz. , 
Shawnee Spring, and the daily travel from the Third Ward, is now on a sound financial and 
paying basis. Mr. Sage, in behalf of the companies he has so successfully engineered 
and managed, is now using every effijrt to extend the Easton, South Easton and West End 
road through the entire length of Northampton street, thus adding much to the comfort 
of the residents of that progressive portion and beautiful residential secftion of our city. 



NEWSPAPERS AND PRINTING, 




jASTON has always occupied a front rank in the annals of Pennsylvania 
journalism, and has the credit of successfully conducfting at the present 
day the first weekly, semi-weekly, and daily papers established in the State 
outside of Philadelphia, and east of the Allegheny Mountains. 

The History of Northampton County records on page 154 the follow- 
ing : " The year 1793 saw the establishment of the first printing office and 
newspaper in the Borough by Jacob Weygandt. The paper was a small 
and insignificant sheet, and was printed in the German language. Not 
much is known of it, but its circulation was probably very limited, for the 
tastes of those German inhabitants did not run in the diredlion of news- 
papers ; and as for the job printing branch of the business, it must have 
been small indeed." A copy of a sheet published by Mr. Weygandt, dated 1804, and 
entitled Easton German Patriot and Countryman s Weekly Paper, is still in existence, and may 
possibly be a specimen of this first journalistic effort. The columns numbered twelve, 
the size of the sheet being 12x20 inches. 

In 1799 a second newspaper called The American Eag/e, made its appearance. It was 
printed in English by Mr. Longcope, but received very little encouragement. 

The oldest weekly in the State, outside of the city of Philadelphia, T/ie Northampton 
Correspondent, was printed originally in German by Christian J. Hutter. At its inception 
in 1801 it was a diminutive sheet, but in the hands of its enterprising publisher soon 
became the leading paper of the county. This periodical has had a varied career, having 
changed owners several times. In 1875 it became the propert)' of the publisher of the 
Argus, and is now issued from that office. 

The Northampton Farmer was started in 1812, by Hon. Thomas J. Rogers, in a log 
building on Northampton, between Second and Third streets, but was in 1818 sold to 
George Deshler and Samuel Moore, who rechristened it "The Spirit of Pennsj'lvania. " 

Tlic People's Instructor also came into existence about this time. It was a combined 
English and German sheet, but lived for a short time only. 

The Easton Sentinel made its appearance July i, 1817, and has regularly appeared for 
the past seventy-two years. Its projectors were Col. C. J. Hutter &: Son. In politics it 
has always been Democratic and has retained the confidence of that party. The present 
proprietor and publisher is J. P. Correll. 

The Weekly Argus first appeared in 1826 as an advocate of General Jackson to the pres- 
idency. Its editors were Jacob Weygandt and Samuel Innes. Up to 1844 it was called 
the Democrat and Argus, but in that year Col. William H. Hutter, a young man of nine- 
teen years, became the owner and changed the title to Easton Argus. Col. Hutter wielded 
the editorial pen for twenty-five years. He then (1869) sold it to William Eichman and 
James F. Shunk. In the following year Messrs. Cole & Morwitz purchased Mr. Eich- 
man's interest. .\t the present time it is owned by Mr. Morwitz, of Philadelphia, edited 



EASTO.V, PENX'A. 457 

by William H. Eichman, a former proprietor of the Express and published by Oliver L. 
Fehr, who also issues the Daily Arg2is, established in 1879. 

T/ie Easton IVIug^ afterward called Xh&Jcmnial, was started in 1850 by Josiah P. Het- 
rich, and had a successful career for a number of years. 

T/ie Eastojimn, Cooley, Stephens & Davis, publishers, appeared in 1850, and lasted 
for about seven years. 

T/ie Easton Free Press (Weekly) first appeared in 1852. Its original title was The 
Northampton Farmer. The title Free Press first appears in 1857. In 1859 Lewis Gordon 
obtained control, the paper then being a folio of twenty-eight columns. A number of 
changes in the editorial management have taken place within the past twenty years. The 
present owners are Andrews & Clifton. From 1866 to 1884 a daily and weekly edition 
were issued. During the latter year the weekly was replaced by a semi-weekly issue. 

A short-lived sheet called the Banern Zeitiing appeared for a few months by Henry 
Guenther in 1853, but died for want of adequate support. 

The first daily newspaper in the State (north of Philadelphia) was The Easton Daily 
Express, which put forth its initial number in 1855, William M. Davis and William H. 
Eichman being the projectors. From 1864 to 1870 Mr. Davis was the sole proprietor, 
Mr. Eichman having retired. The sheet is the largest in the lychigh Valley, being a folio 
of nine columns to the page. The Northampton Democrat, a weekly periodical issued 
from this office was presented to the public in 1882. In politics it is radically Democratic, 
the owner and proprietor being Howard Mutchler. 

The Morning Times was an independent daily, commenced and published for about 
fourteen months during 1857 ^"^ 1858, by Samuel P. Higgins. 

Der Easton Adler had a brief existence during 185S and 1859, under the editorial 
management of Thomas Lynn. 

A German paper, entitled Der Beobachter, commenced publication in i860, under the 
dire6lion of W. H. and A. N. Seip. Both editors enlisting at the outbreak of the Rebel- 
lion, the sheet was discontinued, as well as the semi-monthly periodical belonging to 
the same parties, and called The Times. 

From 1868 to 1871 a weekly known as The Tenth Legion ZPd'worri?/ was published by 
Hilburn & Eichman. 

On May 15, 1875, W. Gibson Field commenced the publication of a daih^, entitled 
The Morning Dispatch. The proximity of New York and Philadelphia, and the early 
distribution of their great dailies, caused its demise in November, 1876. 

The Sunday Call made its debut in 1883. It is a quarto of forty-eight columns, 
stridlly independent in politics. J. P. Correll is the editor and proprietor. 

77^1? American Mechanics' Advocate was first published at Lancaster, Pa., but in 1S78 
it became the property of William M. Shultz of this city. The latter sold it in 1888 to 
other parties, and it is now said to be published in Philadelphia. 

The Council Brand, T. D. Tanner, editor and proprietor, is the official organ of the 
Red Men, and has a national circulation. It is printed at the Free Press publishing rooms. 

The Lafayette, a bi-weekly, and The Melange, a yearly publication by the students of 
Lafayette College, is issued from the Job Printing Office of Mr. George W. West, who 
also publishes the Easton City Diredlory, The Program, and other minor publications. 



DISASTROUS FLOODS. 




HERE are still a number of people living who remember the flood of 
November 4, 1840. The Easton IVkig oi that date says : "The rain fell 
in torrents and caused our streams to rise very rapidly. The Lehigh, 
which usually rises very quickly, came thundering down with her torrents 
from tributaries among tlie mountains. There was considerable damage 
done at the mouth where the new dam is being constructed. The abutment 
of the dam, which is but partly finished, was overflowed, the water wash- 
ing away the bank along side. The large fire-proof four-story brick build- 
ing, immediately below the dam, was entirely demolished, being under- 
mined by the water. It fell with a heavy crash. The water, by this time, 
had got such a head as to endanger the whole bank, which it was fast 
undermining. So great was the apprehension, that families along the river removed all 
their goods, expecting their dwellings would be swept away. The principal loss sus- 
tained is the destruction of the store house and the washing of the street, which will 
require a vast amount of filling in, and a slope wall, at a heavy expense, to place it in 
proper order." 

January 8, 1841, two months later than the above, the rivers rose still higher, caused 
by long continued rains and the thawing of the snow in the mountains. The Delaware 
rose to a point thirty-five feet above low water mark, producing ruin, waste, and desola- 
tion on every side, and carrying away with resistless force, houses, barns, fences, animals, 
and grain. It was expe<5ted that the solid old Delaware bridge would yield to the tremen- 
dous power of the flood, and people gathered in crowds, waiting for hours, to see it torn 
from its foundation, but waited in vain, for it remains in its place to this day. George 
Laws' bridge, over the Lehigh, was less fortunate. All night it stood against the power- 
ful current, but at 4 o'clock in the morning of January 8th, it yielded, and in fragments 
was whirled away by the angry waters, leaving only the abutment and piers standing. 
This was a covered bridge, like the one crossing the Delaware. Every bridge on the 
stream below Lehigh Gap was swept away. The dwellings on the Lehigh as far back as 
Lehigh street were filled in the lower stories with water, and furniture and movables 
were destroyed. These misfortunes fell mostly upon those least able to bear them, and 
being in the midst of winter, great distress followed. 

In June, 1862, there was another of these destructive floods to which the Lehigh was 
so liable. At night, on Tuesday, June 3d, the rain began to fall steadily, and continued 
during Wednesday and Wednesday night. On Thursday forenoon the Lehigh had become 
a roaring torrent which swept all before it. 

The Free Press of June 12th, contains the following : "The rise of the water was 
equal to that of January 8, 1841. In some localities it was reported a little higher, in 
others a little lower, than on that memorable occasion. The destruction of property at 
this time is, however, infinitely greater than it was then. This difference arose, first, 
from the large amount of improvements made in the valley, and second, from the satu- 
rated and softened condition of the ground. During Wednesday night and Thursday 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



459 



morning, consternation, excitement, lamentation, and distress reigned along the whole 
valley. Early on Thnrsday morning the river was discovered to be literally covered with 
floating timber, boats, houses, stables, bridges, furniture, and articles of every kind used 
in civilized society. All the bridges from Mauch Chunk to Easton were either wholly or 
in part gone. The canal boats, loaded and unloaded, are nearly all carried down the 
stream. The houses along the canal and on the flats along the river are nearly all ruined 
or swept away. Residents on the banks awoke in time only to save themselves, but to 
leave all their goods to the mercy of the destroying element. Horror and dismay, terror 




VIEW OF THE LEHIGH BRIDGE l)K iS(>j. 
Removing of same, June 1889. (By Pach.) 

and destruction, and darkness was all around. Daylight only served to reveal that which 
made the heart sick, and brought sorrow and sadness to the beholder. The earnings that 
had been gathered slowly by years of hard toil and economy, were swept away in a few 
hours, and the man who felt that he had made some provision for the future was poor and 
penniless. No pen can describe the amount of misery produced during that fearful night. 
In the immediate vicinity of Easton, Messrs. Deshler, Day & Woodring, McKeen, Yohe, 
Rodenbough & Brothers, and others have lost heavily in lumber. Colonel Yohe, how- 
ever, sustained a heavy loss at his saw mill in the swamp, so that his whole loss may reach 
six thousand dollars. James McKeen suffered a loss in South Easton, and also in the 



460 



THE HISTORY OF 



swamp, so that his loss is very heavy, amounting perhaps to twenty or thirty thousand 
dollars. Day & Woodring had a large quantity of sawed lumber in their yard. What 
their loss will be has not been estimated. In short, the whole valley has been cleaned of 
sawed lumber and saw logs. Many of the poor boatmen passed through Easton, homeward 
bound, some barefooted, without coats, and in a very destitute condition, having lost their 
all in a few hours. About a hundred and fifty or two hundred tons of coal was swept 
away from Michler's coal yard, and what was left was literally covered with mud. Near 
the Lehigh bridge, in Easton, the water came through the streets, tore up the pavements 
and carried away the brick and ground to the depth of two or three feet. The brick wall 
at the end of the bridge was carried away. Of the bridge, the lower or floor timbers are 




VIEW UP THE LEHIGH RIVER AT EASTON. By S. Kind. 

(Showing new Leliigh Bridge. Suspeneiou Bridge and L. & S. Depot ) 

gone, with the flooring, and also some of the arch timbers, but most of these remain. 
Some of the posts and braces are broken, but most of these, with top plates and roof are 
still in position. The test upon that strudlure was very severe, but it remains in part, and 
has already been made safe for foot passengers. The houses along the river were all filled 
with mud and water. The fish market, near Mr. Sletor's hotel, was carried away, also 
Mr. Sletor's carpenter shop. A large stable was carried away from Snuff"town. Wolver- 
ton & Walter lost, perhaps, a thousand dollars in having grain spoiled. Drake & Hulick's 
loss will be, perhaps, ten thousand dollars, in boats, injury to goods, and various other 
ways. The number of dead bodies found up to this time is quite large, we suppose it 
cannot be much less than fifty, and doubtless many more will be found when the rubbish 
along the river shall be cleared away. In cases, whole families are gone. The heart 
sickens at the recital of this terrible catastrophe that has befallen the beautiful valley of 
the Lehigh." 



NAVIGATION OF THE DELAWARE, 




HERE was, at a time, a general belief that the upper waters of the Dela- 
'I ware could be navigated b}' light draught steamers. The project was 
started by the building of the "Major William Barnet," in Philadelphia, 
in 1851. The steamer was to be at Easton on July 4th, but did not 
arrive. A large concourse of people from the country came to celebrate 
the event and see the pioneers of commerce on the Delaware. Many declared 
the people of Easton did not e.xpe6l the steamer, that it was merely a ruse to 
bring them in town and get their money, and some hard words were used. 
The steamer, however, arrived March 12, 1852. There was a jolly time 
at the "Forks;" visions of prosperity and wealth floated in the air. 
Judge Porter made a speech. Dr. Lilly, of Lambertville, answered it in 
eloquent terms. The day of prosperity was growing brighter. The company adjourned 
to the American Hotel, and Easton's hospitality was boundless, and writers of that day tell 
us the enthusiasm was wonderful and began to grow dangerous as the hours rolled on 
and the libations continued. The vessel made regular trips between Easton and Lambert- 
ville for a season, but at length was withdrawn and the enterprise abandoned. The river 
was too shallow and the danger too great. Later, a stern-wheel boat, "The Reindeer," 
attempted the enterprise, but she too soon left the field. 

"THE ALFRED THOMAS." 

During the summer of 1859 the public were given to understand that a small steamer, 
then being built at Easton, was to run on the Delaware, between Belvidere and Port 
Jervis, the distance between the two places being about sixty miles. For a large part of 
this distance there were no means of transporting produce on either side of the river. 
It was felt that such an undertaking would result in a great public benefit, and after 
mature consideration, Messrs. William R. Sharp, Alfred Thomas, and Richard Halcomb, 
were encouraged to proceed with the work. Mr. Thomas Bishop, boat-builder of Easton, 
was employed to constru6l it, and the engine was to be built by Mr. Wells, of South 
Easton. The steamer was to be fourteen feet wide, between eighty and ninety feet long, 
and of one hundred tons burden. Mr. William Parks, Judge Sharp, and William Thomas, 
made a thorough examination of the river, and thought all obstru6lions could be removed 
at a trifling expense, compared with the benefits to be conferred, by the completion of the 
undertaking. In the meantime the work on the steamer was progressing. There was a 
deep concern felt in the enterprise, which grew stronger from day to day. Its completion 
was watched with great interest by the many visitors at the place of building. On the 
i6th of January, i860, a short trial trip was made up the Lehigh, which did not prove 
satisfactory. Alterations were then made, which occupied some time, and on the 5th of 
March she was ready. She was named the "Alfred Thomas," after one of the proprietors. 

On the morning of March 6th, with the American flag flying from the upper deck, 
and with about one hundred persons on board, she steamed out of the boat yard, down 
the Lehigh to the out-let lock at Williamsport, through which she pas.sed after a little 



46 



THE HISTORY OF 



delay, and then out upon the bosom of the Delaware. At Keller's hotel, above the 
bridge, which she reached about noon, a stop was made, and many of the passengers got 
off. Between thirty and forty remained on the steamer with the intention of going to 
Belvidere, where many were waiting, with joyful anticipation of her arrival. The fol- 
lowing is a list of the names of those who remained on board : Benjamin M. Youells, 
George Abel, Samuel Yates, John Dehart, Eugene Troxell, Henry Metier, Arthur Kess- 
ler, David Troxell, George Shaeff, Valentine Schooley, Edward Mclntire, Samuel Shaeff, 
William Diehl, Richard Williams, Stewart Beatty, Joseph Weaver, Robert Burrell, Peter 
Bercaw, George Smith, John Clifton, of Easton ; Charles E. Buck, Charles Arnold, Judge 
William R. Sharp, William Sharp, Jr. , Mr. Carhart, Richard Halcomb, J. Depew Labar, 



'f^^^ll -.^- 



s^rife^DiiMiir 








"ALFRED THOMAS" EXPLOSION. Reproduction of Chart. 
(By S. Kind. See same view, op. page) 

John Smith, Solomon Mclntire, Sheriff Sharp, Alfred Thomas, Frederick Michler, of 
Belvidere, and Joseph Losey, of Washington, N. J. 

The steamer was soon again on her way, but had to stop at the island to generate 
more steam to ascend the rapids. The engineer forced the pressure of steam to one hun- 
dred and twenty pounds to the square inch ; the boiler had been well made, but this pres- 
sure was too great, and it exploded with a detonation that shook the town and hills 
around, as if by an earthquake. The forepart of the vessel was blown into fragments, 
human bodies were hurled forty feet high into the air, others were torn in pieces, limbs 
were broken, and many shockingly bruised. The shrieks of the wounded and dying, 
and the half-suppressed wail of the assembled multitude was in sad contrast with joyous 
mirth heard but a few moments before. There were some strange incidents which even 
at present are of painful interest. One young man named Tro.xell, was blown up into 
the air forty feet, and received but an insignificant scratch. Mr. Carhart, of Belvidere, 
supposing his son was lost, became almost frantic, and fainted when he found him unhurt. 



BASTO.V, PENW-l. 



463 



Mr. Holcoiiib, of Belvidere, had the chain of liis watcli cut off close to the ring, and 
thrown upon the island, where it was found. Two young men assisting in a bateau, 
found a dead companion, and wept like children. George Smith was blown about sixty 
yards from the boat, and cut in a horrible manner. Stewart Beatty was thrown high into 
the air, toward the Jersey shore, fell into the water, and his body was not found till several 
weeks thereafter. A man on the stern of the boat, looking down the river, when he 
heard the explosion, remarked to a bystander, " they must be firing cannon in Easton in 
honor of the boat." Benjamin M. Youells had a leg broken in two places, and was other- 
wise injured, and after twenty-nine years, reminds the people of Easton of the "Alfred 
Thomas" by his limping gait. Judge William R. Sharp and Richard Holcomb, of Belvi- 







"S^^ 




ON THE DELAWARE AT BUSHKILL CREEK, 1S89. 
(Drawn by S. Kind.) 

dere, George Schaeff, fireman, and Samuel Schaeff, engineer, George Smith and Joseph 
Weaver, of Easton, were killed. Valentine Schooley, Samuel Yates, Henry Metier, and 
Arthur Kessler, of Easton, were mortally wounded. William Sharp, Jr., of Belvidere, 
and Stewart Beatty, of Easton, were missing. Those wounded were Benjamin M. Youells, 
Peter Bercaw, William Diehl, Robert Burrell, Edward Mclntire, Eugene Troxell, and 
Richard Williams. Peter Fisher, desirous of reaching his home in Belvidere, had just 
left the steamer before it exploded. 

An indescribable gloom fell upon the people of Easton. A meeting of the citizens 
was called, and all relief in their power was rendered the sufferers. This was the last of 
the "Alfred Thomas." 



THE BRIDGES. 




I ASTON' S first bridge was built across the Bushkill Creek, at Hamilton 
(now Fourth) street. The work was commenced in September, 1762, com- 
missioners Peter Kichline and John Moore being charged with its super- 
intendence. We may conclude that the frame-work was extremely heavy 
and ponderous, for fifteen and three quarter gallons of rum and one barrel 
of cider were required to assist in the "raising" of it. The cost of rum 
was four shillings and four-pence — about fifty-eight cents — per gallon, and 
that of the cider, fifteen shillings — about two dollars — probably including 
the cask. The bridge was of wood, and its total cost was ^262 i6s. gd. — 
or about $604.90. 

In the summer of 1792 this bridge was replaced by a three-arched 
bridge of stone, which served for travel up to the year 1873, when the present neat iron 
bridge was erecfted at a cost of $10,000. 

For many years the Hamilton street bridge had been the only means of passage 
across the Bushkill Creek, but had long been considered to be inadequate to the require- 
ments of travel ; and so a log bridge was built across the stream at Pomfret (now Third) 
street. This served for travel a few years, when in 1833, it was superseded by the present 
stone bridge, which was, doubtless, hastened by the establishment of Lafayette College, 
upon the opposite highlands — the corner-stone of the main edifice being laid on the Fourth 
of July, in that year. This bridge stands to-day apparently uninjured by its fifty-si.x 
years of service, and as strong and safe as when first completed. In 1881 broad walks and 
iron railings were placed on both sides, which not only makes it safe for pedestrians, but 
much improves it. It forms the principal thoroughfare of travel between the town and 
the college grounds on Mount Lafayette. 

The third point where the Bushkill was spanned by a bridge was at Front street, 
which gave another avenue of travel between the town and its northern suburb. This 
bridge is a solid, double-arched strudlure of stone, and was built in the summer of 1850. 
It remains uninjured by the hand of time, as perfect as when first completed. 

The first bridge across the Lehigh was commenced in 1797, and completed in 1798, 
by Abraham Horn, Esq., contra6lor. It stood at the foot of Third street, and was of wood, 
twenty-two feet wide, spanning the river by a single arch, two hundred and eighty feet in 
length. Either defedlive in plan, or workmanship, it fell in a few days after its con- 
strucflion. The loss fell on the contractor, but he had courage and good friends, and soon 
built another of three spans instead of one. This was supported by two stone piers in 
the river between the abutments. This bridge lasted till 181 1 ; when it was destroyed 
by high water, and replaced by a chain bridge in the same year. This bridge was sus- 
pended on four chains, hanging in two loops and two half loops, having two passways for 
teams and a foot-walk between, which was guarded by hand railings. This bridge 
remained for about twenty years, but having been pronounced unsafe, was removed and 
another put in its place, which during the flood of 1841 was carried away and another built 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 



46= 



-^iS4«# 



upon the same piers and abutments. This was a covered bridge, like the present Delaware 
bridge, but was destroyed by the flood of 1862. The County Commissioners thereupon 
determined to build a substantial iron bridge. This had two carriage ways and two foot- 
walks. The street railway tracks were laid across it, counedling South Easton with 
Eastou. In 1888 it was pronounced unsafe and the Commissioners decided to build a new 
one. The new structure has just been completed. It was built by the "King Bridge Com- 
pany " of Cleveland, Ohio, and is one of the finest bridges in the State. It is sixty feet 
wide and nearly three hundred feet long, and cost $35,000. 

The bridge across the Delaware, connecting Easton with the New Jersey shore, was 
completed sufficiently for crossing, in 1806, though not entirely finished, and formally 
open, until the following year. It had been commenced in 1797, and was consequently 
ten years in process of eredlion, a time which seemed unnecessarily long, even to the 
people of that day, but which ap- ^ 

pears much more so to us. It is i ~ - -- ^ 

but just, however, to sa\-, that 
very much of the delay in build- 
ing the bridge, was due to lack of 
funds, and not to any short-coming 
of thearchitedl, Mr. Cyrus Palmer, 
of Newburyport, Mass. ; and that 
when completed, the structure was 
a very strong and substantial one, 
which in 1841, safely withstood 
the tremendous test of that great 
flood by which every bridge above 
Trenton, except this, was swept 
from the Delaware. And now, 
after an unmoved defiance of the 
frosts and floods of nearly ninety 
years, it stands there still, the same 
safe and convenient thoroughfare 
between the States, and apparently as firm and solid as ever. Its length between the 
abutments is about six hundred feet, embraced in three spans, divided and supported 
by two massive stone piers in the river. Its width is thirty-four feet. There are two 
foot-ways and a double carriage-way ; over which latter, the street railway track is laid, 
and the cars pass constantly over it, to and fro, between Easton and Phillipsbnrg — a kind 
of travel very remote from the contemplation of those who projected the bridge nearly a 
hundred years ago. The total cost of the bridge was $61,854.57, and the entire funds 
of the company then amounted to but $42,200, which was paid on its cost, but still left 
the company $19,654.57 in debt. The proceeds of the tolls paid this indebtedness in 
about six years. The bridge is now free to pedestrians ; the foot-toll having been stricken 
from the toll-list November ist, 1856. 

The western part of the city and South Easton are more than two miles apart by 
way of Third street bridge. People in these localities were for some time contempla- 
ting building a foot bridge across the Lehigh in the neighborhood of Tenth street. 




'THE POINT' 



.■\ND THE DELAWARE BRIDGE ABOUT 
THE YEAR 1S30. 



466 THE HISTORY OF 

The result of these deliberations was the formation of a stock company with a view to 
the eretlion of a suspension bridge. The company consisted of J. Peter Correll, Frank 
Reeder, J. Marshall Young, Thomas M. Lesher, John O. Wagener and David D. Wagener. 
A charter was obtained, the company was organized by the ele6lion of J. Peter Correll, 
President, and J. Marshall Young, Secretary and Treasurer. The capital stock was fixed 
at $30,000, par value of shares being $20. Plans and specifications were prepared by J. 
Marshall Young and submitted to Roebling Brothers, the architedls and engineers of the 
Brooklyn Bridge. A beautiful suspension bridge was in consequence construdled and 
duly opened August 30, 1886. The first who crossed the bridge, about the middle of 
August, were William Coyle, of South Easton, Frank Lesher, J. Marshall Young, and 
D. W. Nevin, of Easton. The bridge consists of two spans. The Easton span is five 
hundred and twenty feet in length, and the South Easton span four hundred and forty- 
eight feet six inches. It is ninety-three feet high, and was put up in one piece by Wil- 
liam F. Pascoe, and is the largest piece of complete iron work ever raised in the country. 
They were three days in raising it, and five miles of guy rope of one and a quarter inches 
was required. The view from the bridge is one of rare beauty, changing in grandeur at 
every step of our progress. We find, when crossing this lofty pathway while the winds 
are high, that there is music in the air. 

The railroad bridges crossing the Delaware and Lehigh rivers are among the finest 
specimens of engineering skill. The first bridge of the Lehigh Valley company was a 
two-story wooden stru(?ture, ere(5ted in 1856, and after a few years' use it was replaced by 
the present large and handsome iron one. 

The neat iron bridge of the Central Railroad Company was ere(5led in 1868, and runs 
parallel with that of the Lehigh Valley. At this time it is a single track bridge but is 
shortly to be a double track one. 

Abutments are being sunk for another iron bridge across the Delaware just north of 
the Central Company's, and intended to conne(?t the Lehigh & Susquehanna with the 
Belvidere branch of the Pennsylvania road. 

The bridge of the Lehigh & Susquehanna railroad crosses the Lehigh river from the 
Cut to the Fourth street depot, and is also a fine strucflure. The company are now making 
it a double track bridge, and otherwise improving it. 

All these strucftures appear interesting to strangers as they pass along our railroads, 
and they give Easton the title of "The City of Bridges." 



WATER SUPPLY. 

The Easton Water Company was incorporated by an A61 of Assembly, approved 
March 24, 1817. The first Board of Directors were George Wolf, President ; Nathaniel 
Michler, John Herster, John Green, James Hays, William Barnet, and Philip H. Mattes. 

The water was carried in wooden pipes from a spring on Chestnut Hill to a reservoir 
upon the high ground on North Sixth street, and thence distributed to hydrants in diflfer- 
ent parts of the town. This, however, was wholly inadequate to supply the demand, 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 467 

and the inhabitants had still to rely upon their wells and pumps. Many of these wells were 
deep and the water foul. In consequence the company in 1840 ere(?ted new works on the 
Delaware river, above the mouth of the Bushkill, and with steam power forced the water 
into a reservoir on College Hill, and from thence distributed it through the town. This 
answered the purpose for a while, but as the borough grew it was found that while the 
water was sufficient the power was insufficient to supply the increased demand by growth 
of the borough beyond Sixth street, a new water company was incorporated by A61 of 
Assembly approved the 4th day of May, A. D. 1854, under the style and title of the 
West Ward Water Company, for the purpose of furnishing water to that portion of the 
borough lying west of Sixth street, and works were erecfled on the Lehigh, about a mile 
above the Third street bridge at Spring street. Their first President was Henry Keller. 
By a supplement to their charter, approved May 5, 1855, they were empowered to supply 
water in any part of the borough. 

Owing to financial difficulties another Acl of Assembly was passed the 20th day of 
March, i860, empowering the said company to mortgage their works, corporate fran- 
chises, rights and privileges, and providing that in case of a judicial sale under said mort- 
gage, all the estate, franchises, rights and privileges, shall pass to and vest in the pur- 
chasers at such sale, who were then to proceed and organize a company, and condu6l the 
works under the name of "The Lehigh Water Company." A sale was subsequently 
effected, and a company organized as contemplated by the acl. The first President was 
Charles Rodenbough ; Secretary, Henry Green. The works as already stated were located 
on the Lehigh, and the water was forced by a large engine and raised two hundred feet to 
a reservoir at Fifteenth and Northampton streets. 

The people for a long time felt that the Lehigh water was too impure for family use, 
and so loud were their complaints that the company in 1S81 made a change and erected 
new works on the Delaware. They have now two pumping stations and three pumps, 
one on the Lehigh and two on the Delaware. The one on the Lehigh is not in constant 
use, but held in reserve. The pump on the Lehigh has a capacity of 700,000 gallons in 
twenty-four hours, and those on the Delaware 2,000,000 gallons in the same length of 
time. The reservoir at Fifteenth and Northampton streets will be retained, at the same 
time a new one will shortly be built on Chestnut Hill at an elevation of 290 feet above 
the Delaware, which will supply the highest points in the city, and give it adequate force 
in case of fire. The company will also build a large settling basin at their pumping sta- 
tion on the Delaware, from which the water will be pumped clear of all impurities. In 
cases of freshets the pumping can cease, as the reservoir will hold a week's supply. The 
water for the fountain in Centre Square and for fire purposes is furnished free. 

The present officers of the company are — ^Joseph Rodenbough, President ; Jacob 
Rader, Secretary and Treasurer; Robert Rader, Superintendent. The office is in the 
northwest corner of Centre Square. 



EASTON OF TO-DAY 




HE CONCLUDING chapter of our history is at hand, but we find there 
are still several subjedls which we wish to dwell on briefly, and perhaps 
the most important of these is the formation of industrial associations, 
created for the purpose of advancing the business interests of our city. Re- 
cently there had been a lack of enterprise in Easton, its capital seeking 
investment elsewhere, which not only greatly retarded its growth in the 
building of dwellings, but industries of various kinds suffered that were 
needed to give employment to the young people inhabiting the western 
part of our city — the children of the mechanic and laboring man. Accord- 
ingly the first of these associations was formed in 1883, and succeeded in 
inducing Messrs. R. and H. Simon to establish a silk mill at Lehiclon Bridge, 
on the Bushkill creek, which gives employment to several hundred hands. This mill is 
engaged in throwing or twisting silk, a preparatory work necessary before it can be woven. 
This industry has been remarkably successful under the able management of the Simon 
Bros., and they have in contemplation the erecftion of a large addition to their already 
massive structure in the near future. After the association had accomplished this great 
obje6l it seemed to have spent its force and finally disbanded. 

In 1888 a more determined effort was made to introduce manufacftures of various 
kinds into the community. This resulted in the formation of the Easton Industrial Asso- 
ciation. The oflScers of the Association are — President, William Hackett ; Secretary and 
Treasurer, S. H. Hackett ; Directors, Harry G. Tombler, David W. Nevin, Henry A. 
Sage, Asher J. Odenwelder, J. Whit Wood, James W. Correll, William J. Daub, C. D. P. 
Hamilton, Jacob Raub, and Charles M. Hapgood. The Association began work at once. 
The Lawrence Organ Works needed an increase of capital in order to proceed in its business. 
The financial condition of its affairs was closely examined, a loan of $12,000 was nego- 
tiated, the plant placed upon a permanent basis, the buildings were enlarged and the business 
increased. First-class instruments are manufacftured here, for which there is a ready sale. 
This gives employment to twenty-five hands. The managing trustees, representing the 
subscribers, are William H. Hackett, William J. Daub, and William R. Francisco. 

The Easton Boot and Shoe Fadlory is a very important establishment, founded by 
this Industrial Association. It is situated on Butler and Sixteenth streets. The building 
is of brick, 127 by 38 feet, four stories high. There are fifty-five hands employed, turning 
out three hundred pairs per day. The most sanguine anticipations have been fully 
realized. The machines are driven by a fifty horse-power engine, thus giving power sufl!i- 
cient for twice the number of hands, and the prospe6ls seem to demand a large increase 
of workmen. The first floor is used for storing leather, and also for sole-leather cutting 
and the heel-making room. The second floor contains the offices, packing and shipping 
room, and treeing or dressing room. The third floor is used for bottoming and finishing 
purposes. On the fourth floor the upper leather is cut, and the stitching and crimping 
done. The views from the south windows of the fadlory are the most beautiful that the 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 



469 



eyes of the lovers of nature ever gazed upon, and no picftnres, executed by the old masters, 
can equal the grandeur of the scene. The interblending of mountains and rivers, hills 
and dales, the gentle curving of the Lehigh hills, pi<5lured upon the distant horizon, the 
whizzing of the railroad train, the slow moving canal boat, representing a period now 
passing away, in contrast with the steam power and ele6lric forces of the age following, 
present a picfture well worth a long walk to witness. 

Another industry is the Matteawan Felting Manufa6lory. The land has been pur- 
chased, the stock, $50,000, subscribed, and the work is in progress. It is situated in 
Odenweldertown, a suburb of the city, near the Lehigh. 

The foregoing enterprises is the work of these associations in this short period. 
Besides placing these establishments upon a sound financial basis a great deal of time was 
consumed in examining other industries that desired to locate here, but not accepted for 
causes best known to those who had the matter in hand. Caution is no doubt the proper 
course to pursue in matters of this kind, as the savings of the mechanic as well as the 
wealth of the capitalist is involved. These associations have been ably managed, and at 
this writing are making strenuous efforts to establish another industry which will place 
one more well-earned task to their credit. 



The Easton and Northern Railroad, which is now being constru<5led, will no doubt 

be of great importance to the material growth 
of Easton. This company consists of Easton 
men who have undertaken the responsibility of 
this important enterprise. The officers are- 
President, John T. Knight, of Easton ; Secretary 
and Treasurer, Fred. Green ; Diredlors, Henry A. 
Sage, Harry G. Tombler, General Frank Reeder, 
David D. Wagener, Jacob Walter, Samuel S. Mes- 
singer, Peter Brady, and James Smith. Messrs. 
Henry A. Sage, Harry G. Tombler, and Gen. 
Frank Reeder, are the Executive Committee to 
superintend the constru(?i;ion of the road. Chief 
Engineer, Peter Brady ; General Superintendent, 
James Smith. This road commences at or near 

\^" ''\§' ''? */ Sixth street, and ascends the Bushkill Valley, 

■^^^mj^Ki^it^ " its terminal point to be at Ashland, Northamp- 

ton county, conne(?ling with the Bangor and 
Nazareth Railroad. The intention of the com- 
pany is to extend the road to Scranton in the no 

esident of Ihe Easton and South Easton Pas- distant future. HoW it will C0nne6l at Easton 

senger Railway Company, and Director of j ^^^ known and causes Considerable Comment. 

the Easton and Northern Railroad Co. 



.f^ 




The Home for Friendless Children was established in 1885, and opened April 6th. 
One of the most pleasing incidents in the history of Easton is the establishment of this 
charming retreat for the shelter of friendless and homeless children. The society first 
rented a house on Sullivan street ; this being insufficient, one was built on Washington 



470 THE HISTORY OF 

street, near Fourteenth, on land donated by Mr. Theodore R. Sitgreaves. The building 
cost nearly nine thousand dollars, and was opened with sixteen children, March i, 1887. 
The ladies of Easton have entire control of the Home. This institution is supported by 
the gifts of willing and generous hearts. Children ushered into life without friends or 
the shelter of a home are taken by these noble ladies and tenderly cared for, guided and 
guarded through the helpless years of infancy and childhood, and prepared for the cares 
and toils of man and womanhood. It a pleasant experience to pass through the sleeping 
apartments kept so neatly, and notice the beautiful little beds made specially for children. 
"In as much as ye have done it unto the least of one of these, ye have done it unto me," 
steals sweetly into the soul as we pass through the apartments of this comfortable home 
of the little ones. There are no gifts more acceptable than those by which the home of 
tender childhood is maintained. Since the Home was established eighty-two children 
have passed through the hands of the Matron and Directors. These are the officers : 

Miss Kate Green, President. Mrs. William Firmstone. 

Mrs. Philip Pfatteicher, Vice Pres't. Mrs. E. F. Stewart. 

Mrs. H. D. Lachenour, Secretary. Mrs. Charles Stewart. 

Miss Ida Hay, Assistant Secretary. Mrs. Clement Stewart. 

Mrs. M. F. Titus, Treasurer. Mrs. Frank Michler. 

Mrs. J. S. Rodenbough. Mrs. William H. Armstrong. 
Mrs. B. H. Niece, Matron. 



The old buildings of Easton are slowly but surely giving way to the march of im- 
provement, and of the many interesting landmarks that Easton possessed a decade or two 
ago, only a few remain. It is only a matter of a very few years before the last one of 
these interesting relics, which connedl the history of the past with that of the present, 
will have passed away. The following are the most notable ones still standing : On the 
northeast corner of Ferry and Fourth streets stands an old stone house built by William 
Parsons in 1757, and is consequently 132 years old, being the oldest house in the city. 
It was at one time occupied by George Taylor, one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Independence. It is a historic residence indeed, and long may it stand to remind us of 
the stormy past. It is now owned by Col. Jacob Dachrodt. The next in age is the 
building now occupied by Schoch & Stecker, dry goods merchants, on the northeast 
corner of Centre Square, and was built by Henry Alshouse, who was Easton's first car- 
penter. On the west side of Second street, near Spring Garden, is a small stone house 
built by Hon. Samuel Sitgreaves, for a relative of his family. In Sitgreaves street, near 
Dr. Green's stable, is the first brick house built in Easton, and was eredled by the same 
gentleman for his colored man Cudjoe. On the south side of Spring Garden street, near 
Second, is a stone house in which John Penn, a son of William Penn, resided while hold- 
ing the office of sheriff in 1773-74. No. 142 South Third street is a very old stone build- 
ing, also the one located on the northeast corner of Second and Ferry, and the one on 
the northwest corner of Fifth and Northampton streets. The second jail is still standing, 
(and is now being used as a brush facflory) and the old cell from which Getter was led to 
execution may still be seen. 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 



471 



Among the many fine business and private edifices that adorn and beautify our city, 
some of which liave been ilhistrated in tliis work, the Able Opera House is one of the 
most conspicuous. It stands on the south side of Northampton street, between Third 

and Fourth streets. The front is 50 
feet, and extends back to Pine street, 
a depth of 220 feet. The exhibition 
room is in the rear of the building, 
and is approached by a wide passage 
from the front entrance, with large 
and commodious store rooms on each 
side. This room is 50 by 120 feet, 
including the stage ; the ceiling is 
forty-seven feet high. The front 
hall in the second story, intended 
for balls and festivals, and known 
as Able Hall, is 50 by 80 feet ; the 
height of the ceiling is twenty-three 
feet. The hall in the third story is 
50 by 80 feet, with ceiling of seven- 
teen feet high. The Parquet, Par- 
quet Circle, Dress Circle and Third 
Tier, will seat fifteen hundred peo- 
ple. The dressing rooms are in 
the basement. In 1872 Mr. Edward 
Able matured the projedl of build- 
ing this Opera House, which might 
be of great use to the public as a 
place of amusement and for public 
gatherings on special occasions. It 
was ere(fted at a cost of $120,000. 
It is now owned by a company, and 
is under the care and management of Mr. John Brunner. By common consent, it is 
still known as the Able Opera House, and we sincerely hope that as long as this mag- 
nificent temple of amusement shall stand, it shall retain the name of its liberal projector. 




EDWARD ABLE. 



We cannot close the History of Easton without a short resume. Its picfturesque 
location, with its grand and bold surrounding scenery, and its flowing waters, renders it 
at once attradlive to the eye, and impresses the soul with a spirit of romance, not usually 
felt when viewing an aggregation of house-tops alone. Its many spires suggest to the 
mind the principle that religious freedom reigns, and well it may, for here nearly all 
known denominations of religious worshippers are represented. The puff and the roar 
of the locomotive directs your attention to the railroad facilities — no less than sixty-four 
passenger trains arriving and leaving the city daily. The passenger for New York has his 
choice of three different routes over about seventy-five miles of rail, and will arrive there 



472 



THE HISTORY OF 



inside of three hours. He who wishes to go to Philadelphia has two routes, travels a distance 
of about sixtv-six miles and arrives there in less than three hours. A closer look, and we 
notice the webs of wires which, while they aid the business man and mechanic in rapid transit 
through the city by its eledlric motors, also illuminate the city at night, both in the houses 
and on the thoroughfares, making it almost as light as day, at the same time it recalls to mind 
the telegraph and telephone, only a small part of the network that circles the globe and 
renders couverse possible with the most distant nations. The numerous smoke stacks 
point out the various manufacftories of iron and brass for its varied uses, cordage for the 
rigging of ships that sail to distant lands, sawing and planing mills, marble and granite 
works, silk mills, organ fa(?tory, shoe factory, felt works, breweries, carriage, furniture, 
and many other industries. The eye also takes in the many rich mineral deposits, by 
glancing at the extensive lime and soap-stone quarries and iron ore mines. If also 
takes in the many educational buildings, foremost of which is Lafayette College, with 
its splendid Pardee Hall, most liberally endowed, and having a faculty equal to any 
other in the land and superior to most ; numerous large and commodious school houses 
with all the modern improvements for the education of the young, models of architedlure, 
and having a fine library, the accumulation of many years, being founded by an associa- 
tion in 1817 and deeded to the school department in 1864, showing the interest and pride 
taken in and the progress of education. Prominent also among all is the Court House 
and the gloomy walls of the county Penitentiary. The belfry on the building of the fire 
department suggest the improvements made in that branch of municipal progress ; the old 
hand fire engine with its volunteer firemen of but a few decades passed, is superseded by a 
paid department with steamers and electric alarms, and an abundant supply of water, 
making it almost impossible for the fiery element to make any headway. 

A view of the beautiful valley of the Lehigh, with its numerous serpentine tracks of 
railroads, and the canal runniug past the iron furnaces and cotton mills as far as Mauch 
Chunk, the centre of the coal mining industry, reminds you of the vast commercial enter- 
prises in coal, iron and cotton, famous throughout the whole land. 

A view of the modest Bushkill would hardly suggest the fa(5l that for its size few 
streams in this Commonwealth yield power for manufadluring purposes equal to it. Take 
another position and the eye rests upon the city of the dead — the Easton Cemetery — first 
opened in 1849, and now the resting place of over 16,000 who have gone never to return, 
reminding us that here end all worldly glory and ambition, here all are equal, the rich 
and the poor, the great and the small, the old and the young, all, all alike, turn to mother 
earth, and nothing to tell their different spheres in life but the stones ere6led to their mem- 
or\'. Few cemeteries in the country can equal this in grand and expensive monuments. 

We have now reviewed some of the most prominent features of our city, including 
scenery and commercial and manufa6luring facilities, the latter being the work of a pop- 
ulation of 11,924 in 1880, now 15,500 in 1889, composed of industrious, enterprising and 
sagacious business men, aided by those natural advantages which the founders of the city 
with their keen foresight at once comprehended. These advantages are not yet exhausted, 
in fa6l they are daily multiplying and are inexhaustible, the surrounding country is rich 
in soil and in mineral produdls, access to raw material for manufa6lurers is easy, and 
the capitalist who desires to invest his means in some enterprise need not "go West"; 
here is a large field, and an enterprising population to take him by the hand and give him 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



473 



welcome. We say, come and see for yourself, for seeing is believing, and we are sure you 
will not regret your choice if you should sele6l our city for your permanent home and 
seat for commercial or manufacfturing operations. 



As a fitting finale to this part of our work we think it of interest and importance to put 
upon record as corre(5lly as possible the names of the principal business men and profes- 
sional people of Easton, who are thus adlively engaged at the close of the year 1889. In 
order to show future generations how our two principal business thoroughfares (North- 
ampton street from the Delaware bridge to Sixth, and Third street from the Lehigh to 
the Bushkill) were inhabited, we give them side by side — from door to door. 



Northampton Street, North Side,/rom 

Delaware Bridge to Second. 
Yeager, J, millinery 
Taniiewald, R, boots and shoes 
Parks, Mrs G, milliner 
Stinson, Mrs E S, millinery 
Hunt, E I, hardware 
Hoff, Mrs John, druggist 
Arndt, Mrs C A, shoes 
Buckman, W E, dentist, (up stairs) 
Major, L, novelty store 
Mansfield & Helms, wall papers 
Eckert, John, druggist 
Smith, J S, jeweler 
Goldsmith, Michael, notions 
Hellman Bros, notions 
Gulick, Peter, grocer 
Gould, Mrs S, fursrepair'd (upstairs) 

Northampton Street, North Side, from 

Second to Centre Square. 
Hammann, \Vm E, druggist 
Andrews & Nolf, dry goods 
Herst David, tailor, (up stairs) 
Young James McK, crockery 
Randolph, H, hatter 
Bunstein & Co, millinery 
Keller, \Vm H, pianos and organs 
Grawitz, Chris, art gallery 
Thatcher, I B, fancy goods 
Carpenter Allen, dry goods 
Goldsmith Bros, clothing 
Able, John, confectionery 
Geehr, F P, boots and shoes 
Clark, David, jeweler 
Kahn, E, art gallery 
Dunkel E, cigars and tobacco 
Maxwell, VVm, books and bindery 

Centre Square — North Side. 
Lee, Chas, laundry 
Mack, John, plumber, (basement) 
Easton Post Office 
Lehr V H, lawyer, I'up stairs) 
Phi Kappa Psi Club 
Hay, J & Sons, wholesale dry goods 
Seip, Amos, physician 
Easton Optical Co, (same building) 
Hackett & Chidsey, brokers " 
Long, James, residence 
Northampton Insurance Co 
Parks, Wm, barber, (basement) 
Stout, G W, lawyer, (same building) 
Chase & Mackey, lawyers, " 
Home Fiendly Society, " 

Chi Phi Club, 
Jones residence 
Detwiller, J J, physician 
Walters, W F, restaurant 



Steckel, Henry F, residence 
Hetrich, Mrs Josiah P, residence 
Easton Water Co Office 
Hetrich Willis, lawyer 

Northampton Street, North Side, from 

Third to Fourth. 
Adams, Samuel, fruit dealer 
Schoch & Stecker, dry goods 
Bush cSc Bull, ■ " 

Stout,JnoV, photographer, (upstairs) 
Meeker, C W, stoves, &c 
Bixler, Elwood, jeweler 
Moon & Co, boots and shoes 
Semple, Wm & Son, druggist 
Longaker, A B, lawyer, (up stairs) 
Uhler, I S, 

James, R E, " " 

Lynn, James, '* " 

Emmons, Thos, " " 

Americus Club, " 

Comus Club, " 

Rader & Bro, dry goods 
Kolb, Reuben, alderman, (upstairs) 
Martin, James, saddler 
Edelman, James A, fancy goods 
Hay Boot & Shoe Co 
Fox & Fulmer, jewelers 
Losey & Co, hardware 
Fraley, Jacob, leather 
Garis W E, furniture 
Central Hotel, A J Frankenfield, prop 
Bryson, Pennel, barber, (basement) 

Northampton Street, North Side , from 
Fourth to Fifth. 

Richards, Mrs E J, druggist 
Rosenblatt, M, peanut stand 
Daub Wm J, furniture 
Rosenbaum, Levi, millinery 
Hamilton & Co, boots and shoes 
Arner, Calvin, dry goods 
Fox, E J & Son, lawyers, (up stairs) 
Shipman, Wm C " 

Field Bros, physicians, " 

Penna. Telephone Office, " 

Ludwig, Henry, grocer 
Kinney John, eating house 
Riegel, M. J., bookseller 
Ackerman, T F, jeweler 
Bixler, Lewis E, toys 
Leidy G W, barber 
McCabe, Jas,photographer,(up stairs) 
Residence of Mrs. Clemens 
Lawall, C Son & Co, druggists 
Hoffman, W W, dentist, (up stairs) 
Francisco, W R, sewing machines 
Fritts, Misses, boarding 
Northampton County National Bank 



Fleischner & Poike, three cent store 

Lung, Sam, laundry 

Detweiler, O L, stenographer and 

type writer, (up stairs) 
Serfass, Orrin, lawyer, (up stairs) 
Rosenfelt, Lewis, tailor 
Gebhardt, C, plumber, (basement) 
Moser, Josiah, pianos and organs 
Sandt, C A, lawyer, (up stairs) 
Walter & Bishop, art goods 
Allis Elisha, lawyer, (up stairs) 
Merrill J C, lawyer, (up stairs) 
Singer Sewing Machine Co 
Miller S K & Son, hardware 

Northampton Street, North Side, from 

Fifth to Sixth. 
Felker, Chas, meat market 
Sweeny, Jacob, fish and oysters 
Hildebrandt, Paul, saloon 
Barnet, George, grocer 
Newman, Andrew, saloon 
Collmar, Chas U, physician 
Young, G H, alderman, (same build'g) 
Shrope, L S, insurance, " 
Fulmer, John, guns, &c 
Leidy, Thomas, cigars 
Mayer, B D & Co, dry goods 
Knecht &VVeisenbach,real estate agts 
Breininger, A, barber 
Koehler & Moyer, veterinary surg'ns 
Eichman, Chas, restaurant 
Rice, Geo W, 

Northampton Street, South Sidejrom 
Delaware Bridge to Second. 

Gaetano, Vilacchi, peanut stand 

Carey, John J, segars 

Laugel, Adam, boots and shoes 

Spitznagel, F, meat market 

Balliet, Ray, barber 

Keeley, Mrs J C U, coffee house 

Sherrer Bros, gent's furnishers 

Jacoby A, clothing 

Garnier, A B, general store 

Magee Bros, wholesale store 

Correll, Jacob, tailor 

Berry, Misses, boarding house 

Gerver House, Robt. Gerver, prop 

Curren, Thos, saloon 

Rice & Arnold, oysters 

Gilroy, H.shoe store 

Michler, E E, grocer 

Cummings, Chris, saloon 

Levy, J & Co, clothing 

Knapp, William, barber 

Otto, Mrs E, confectionery 

Goldburg, L, clothing 

Runyon. Thomas, liquors 



474 

Mebus, Henry, boots and shoes 
Bush, William, jeweler 
Noithanipton Street. South Side, from 

Second to Centre Square. 
Norton, H M, stoves and tinware 
Barberev, Chas, peanut stand 
Riegel & Tinsman, dry goods 
Heil, John, boots and shoes 
Seip, H F, dentist, (up stairs) 
Osterstock, Jos, stoves and tinware 
VVeller it Honey well,den'st (up stairs) 
Vogel, E D, stationer 
Correll. Peter M, boarding 
Pollock, John, brush manufacturer 
Knecht, A S, lawyer, residence 
Wilking, Jacob H, boots and shoes 
Garis, C W, furniture 
Becker's Peo|)lesTea Co, ( VV Carling) 
Black, Daniel, tinware 
D. Black and H Kinsey residence 
Hazzard, Wm H, paper hangings 
Fraunfelter, Frank, fruit dealer 
Seitz, C E, gent's furnishings 
Brown, VVm, book binder, lup stairs) 
Reese, Jacob, merchant tailor. 

Centre Square— South side. 
Heller, Maria, millinery 
Residence of Miss Heller 
Warne, M T, residence 
Deichman, A S, 
Seitz, Fred. 
Dinkey, Mrs R. " 
Kalish, William, clothing 
Hertz, John C, dentist, (up stairs) 
Jacobus, Peter N, physician 
U. S. Express Otfice 
Adams Express Office 
Green, G B, bowling alley, (base'nt) 
First National Bank 
Osterstock, John, hardware 
Garren, Jacob, oysters, (basement) 
Kirkpatrick,\V&M,lavv'ers:up stairs) 
EastonBesinessCollege(CLFree) " 
Hoftmeirer, S B, photographer, 
Stewart, W G & Son, wholesale notions 
Bissell, G M, barber 
Lee, Chas, laundry 
Kichline, Geo E, insurance 
Boyd, T S, billiard hall 
Police head'ters and council chamber 
Northampton Street, South side, 
from Third to Fourth. 
Conklin, D W & Co, grocers 
Meyer, Joseph, segars and tobacco 
West, Geo W, job printer, (up stairs) 
Orr, Matthew, dry goods 
Freeman, Nat, merchant tailor 
Flemming, Miss E., residence 
Apple, DrSS. 
Easton National Bank 
Hasbrouck&Kloffenstein,mer. tailors 
Goldsmith, Isaac, cigars and tobacco 
Goldsmith, Isaac, residence 
Laubach, Wm & Son, dry goods 
Walter, Chas, lawyer, (upstairs) 
Weaver, John A, druggist 
Armstrong Wm H, lawyer,(upstairs) 
R C Pyle, insurance, " 

Downs, James S, " 
Clio Social Club, 
Solomon, Jacob, clothing 
Miller, Horace,signpainter,(up stairs) 
Leidich Herbert, barber, (basement) 
Able Opera House 
Shinier, Peter& Son, merchant tailors 



THE HISTORY OF 

Walter, Win, restaurant, (basement) | 
Sage H A, liquor merchant 
Able, Edward, carpet dealer I 

King, Theo F, dentist, (up stairs) j 
Knecht, Frank, photographer, " 
Stern, Max & Bro, millinery 
Goldsmith, Simon, clothing j 

Davenport, G, hair dressing(up stairs) 
Heller, J B, physician, " '■ 

Wolfe, D S, cigar manuf, 
Northampton Street, South Side, 
Fourth to Fifth. 
Odenwelder, Asher, druggist 
Gardella, Victor, peanut stand 
Mack, F W, painter, (up stairs) 
Friedlich, Moses, gent's furnisher i 

Wolslayer, J O, boots and shoes ! 

Bixler, C W, jeweler 
Mack, E B, stoves and tinware 
Eschenbach,G W, umbrellas lup st'rs) 
Anglemeyer, Jeremiah, hardware 
Lindemann, J H, bookseller 
Edetman, W E, lawyer, (up stairs) i 
Franklin House, G B Ccse, prop ' 

Gardner Bros, clothing 
Pyatt, David, crockery 
VVoodring, Richard A, hatter I 

Kunsman, Wm H, dry goods 
Laugel, Adam, boots and shoes 
Detweiler, W C, dentist, (upstairs) , 
Lawall, Lyman H, dry goods I 

Washington Clothing Co [ 

Serfass, J J, physician, (up stairs) , 
Weaver, VV Stewart, hardware | 

FreytagBros,mer'nt tailors, ( up sta'rs) ^ 
Young, G F P, lawyer, 
Roll, M, cigar manufacturer, " 
Swan Hotel, S J Treat, prop 
Kemmerer, Benjamin F, grocer 
Knecht, A S, lawyer, (up stairs) 
Howell, A B, '■ 

Miller Jonas, segars i 

Woolworth & Getman, 5c & loc store 
Everhart, S, boots and shoes 
Garbarino, John, peanut stand 
Fackenthall, Howard, physician 
Northampton Street, South Side, from 

Fifth to Sixth. 
ShifTer, Boyer & Co, hatters 
Mayor's and City Treasurer's Office 
Steckel, Leopold, saddlery 
Fenicle Thomas, alderman 
Levy, Lyman, clothing 
Pickel, Andrew, merchant tailor 
Cottage Garden Hotel, S A Reichard 
Caramella, Luie, peanut stand 
Taylor, Zach, furniture 
Sei'bert, Geo, carpet, yarns, &c 
Spengler, Aaron, druggist 
Creveling, F, paper boxes, (up stairs) 
Siegfried Bros, bakers 
! Mt Vernon Hotel, Edw Jacoby, prop 

South Third Street. IVest Side, 

from Lehigh Bridge to Lehigh. 
Heck, Geo & Philip, coal dealers 
First Ward Hotel, J A Reichard, prop 
Weisel, C, fruit stand 
Diehl, Chas P, barber 
Hawk, Henrv E, flour and feed 
Lovell Manufacturing Co 
Hughes, J, saloon 

Siegfried, Jos, Jr, segars and tobacco 
Wcapple & Co, boots and shoes 
Daub, Theo G, grocer 



South Third Street, U^est Side, from 

Lehigh to Ferry. 
Cavanaugh, James, physician 
Schwechten, H R, bakery 
Genther, John, butcher 
Sommer, George, saloon 
Paxton, J M, agent 
King & Rezzo, fruit store 
Stein, Mrs John, oysters 
Weidknecht, H & S, butchers 
Koch, Fred, saloon 
Stengelin, Mrs Anna, stoves 
Balentine, James, cigars 
Ziegenhorn, Henry, merchant tailor 
Behens, C, shoemaker 
Kepler Tilghman, tlour and feed 
Roesch Louis, boots and shoes 
Stier Philip F, residence 
Bachman, Chas, druggist 
Kilian, Mrs K, confectionery 
Schoch, Howard, jeweler 
Shellenberger, H H, grocer 

South Third Street, West side. Ferry 

to Centre Square. 
Crater, Jos & Sons, wholesale produce 
Snyder, Daniel VV, confectionery 
VanAllen, D D, paper hanger 
Garren, A L, restaurant 
Bowman, John, cigars and tobacco 
Fraunfelter, Frank, fruit stand 
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (F VV Bell) 
Rinek Bros, rope store 
Stewart, RussellC, lawyer, (up stairs) 
Fine, L M, 

Hagerman. H M " 
Shawde, E H, insurance. 
Brown, John, tailor, 
Cornell & Michler, grocers 
Drake's Sons, wholesale grocers 
Williamson & Co, brokers, (up stairs) 
Brown, John, slate operator, " 
Barnet, H C, 

Cavanaugh, H S, lawyer, " 

Steel, H J, 
Fackenthall, B F, 
Mutchler, William, " 
Scott, H W, 

Beidelman, William, " " 

Brunner, John, insurance, " 

Dailv, Thos, hatter 
Youells, T R S, barber, (basement) 
Grand Union Tea Co, (W J Burke) 
Menline, Moses, cigar manufacturer 
Finley, George, news agent 
Hohl,' Stewart, druggist 
Goldsmith, Isacc, Jr, clothing 
Ehler, Q F, lawver, (up stairs) 
Swift, B F, 
Kuntz, D M, " 
Able, Geo, Jr, int revenue" 
Dolan, Thos H, gen agt," 
South Third street, East side, 

Lehigh Bridge to Ferry. 
Hilliard & Dinkey, coal dealers 
American Hotel, Aaron Walter, prop 
Yelles Henry, harness 
Walter, Jacob, flour and feed 
Garis, Owen, cabinet maker 
Sciple, George E, toys 
Young, James, coal dealer 
Lee, Hop, laundry 
Ehly, Mrs D A, coftee house 
Arn'dt P F & Oliver, physicians 
Martin, John, book store 
Mebus, Fred L, druggist 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 



475 



Frey, Joseph T, restaurant 
Leiiiinger, Geo E, furniture 1 

Totnbler, Henry G, wholesale grocer 

South Third Street, East Side, Ferry 
to Centre Square. 

Bercaw, Chas, liquors 
Moravian Church, second floor 
Society rooms, third floor 
White, W L, wholesale produce 
Terry,' Frank L, restaurant 
Heller, Aug, stove dealer 
Fasten Market Building 
Hapgood C M & Co, wholesale boots 

and shoes 
Evans, P C, lawyer, (up stairs) 
Nevin, D VV, 

Maxwell, H D, " " 

Johnson, Jacob, detective," 
Hetrich, C B, insurance, " 
Patterson, J D, coal mer, " 
Bissell Assembly Room, " 
Veile, Edward, crockery 
Bixler & Correll, wholesale notions 
Meyers, O H, lawyer, (up stairs) 
Geiser, Geo W, " 
Goldsmith, Aaron" " 

McKeen Thos L, 
Hulick, \Vm H, 
Betz, H M, jeweler, " 

Fehr & Butler, 
Masonic Lodge, third floor 
PhiUippe, Solon, gun store 
Dull. Frank, grocer 
Reeder, H & F, lawyers, (up stairs) 
Green, Fred, 

Thomas Iron Co office, (J T Knight) 
Brown, C A H.photogra'er, (up stairs) 
Memmert, Chas H, barber 
West. Union Tel. Office, (Jno Saylor) 
Diehl, J & \V, peanut stand 



North Third Street, west side, Centre 

Square to Spring Garden. 
Detwiller, J J, physician 
Tinimins, Mrs, residence 
Sliipman, I B " 

Kirkpatrick, Wm, " 
Hulick, Mrs Derick," 
Saylor, R W, physician 
Schick, Geo P, residence 
Fox, Eli M, 
Rinek, Thos, " 

Armstrong, W H, " 
Easton CofTee House 
Forman, Miss Mary, residence 
Boileau, Samuel, " 

Drake, Samuel, " 

Moon, W W 
Wood, J Whit, 
Frantz & Shafer, grocers 
Gray, Jeremiah, residence 

Aorik Third Street, 11 est Side. Spring 

Garde7i to Bushkill Bridge. 
United States Hotel, G Vincent, prop 
Lang, John, barber, (basement) 
D Do You, laundry 
Wertley, Jacob, candy store 
Parks & Pach, business college 
Drinkhouse, Samuel, residence 
Kirkpatrick, Morris, " 

I Drennan, Dr, '' 

\ Meyers, O H, " 

Keim, Mrs, " 

Eisberg, George W, barber 
Serfass, .\ L, druggist 
Hibler, William P, residence 
: James, R E, " 

I Hilliard, Clinton, " 

Dinkey, Amos, " 

j Semple, Mrs Ellen, " 
1 Pach, Alex L, photographer 



A'orth ThirdStreet, East Side, Centre 
Square to Spring Garden Street. 

Jones, R I and M H, lawyer 
Wallace, G V, 
German Reformed Church 
McAllister, Anna M, physician 
Bunting, O C, dentist 
Hess, Mrs James, residence 
Lawall, Cyrus, " 

Porter, James M, civil engineer 
Porter, Mrs, residence 
Seitz, Chas, " 

Reeder, Frank, " 
Hunt, J S, physician 
Probst's residence 
Roseberry, J I, physician 
North ThirdStreet, East Side. Spring 
Garden to Bushkill Creek. 

Arlington House, Jacob Frone, prop 

Berlin, fancy store 

Michler, James, grocer 

Weston, Mrs K, boarding 

Drake, Miss K, residence 

Magee, Jos, " 

Huber " 

Wik, Max, shoemaker 

Arnold, John, grocer 

King, M H.meat market 

Van Norman, Mrs, residence 

Oslforss, C G, merchant tailor 

Dudley, Frank, oysters 

Bell, Ferdinand, residence 

Bird, Geo, 

Able, George, " 

Schoolev, David, " 

Colbert,' Chas S, 

Weaver, John, " 



EASTON BUSINESS PEOPLE-CLASSIFIED. 



ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS. 
Drisbrow M M, Odenweldertown 
EastonBusinessCoUege.CentreSquare 
Hecht Tillie, 304 Bushkill 
Lerch Charles H, 13 South Fourth 
Park & Crawford, 114 North Third 

ARCHITECT. 
Stewart John M, 502 Northampton 
ATTORNEYSAT-LAW. 
See Page 421. 
ART GOODS. 
Grawitz Christ, 223, Northampton 
Kahn Emanuel, 247 Northampton 
Walter & Bishop, 467 Northampton 

AUCTIONEERS. 
Bitters John, 660 Ferry 
Meyers Lawrence P, 115 South Third 

BAKERS. 
Deichman Chas, 52 North Seventh 
Duhart Fred, 63s Northampton 
Felver Wm S, 167 Northampton 
Fisher Lewis A, 49 South Fourth 
Kraunfelter Wm H F, 134 Cattell 
Kauffman William, 409 Cattell 
Lanche Christian, 35 South Eleventh 
Miller William R, 100 Washington 
RuppJohn, 22 North Seventh 
Schwarz Paul G, 6or Northampton 
Schwechten H R, 159 South Third 
Short George R, 1014 Ferry 
Siegfried W & Bro,54o Northampton 



BANKS. 

Easton National, North'n cor Bank 

First National, S W cor Centre Square 

Northampton Co Nat, 459 North'ton 

BARBERS. 

Bissell Gilbert M, 25 Centre Square 
Breininger Albert, 531 Northampton 
Bryson Fennel C, Central Hotel 
Bryson William R, 609 Walnut 
Burk Frank L, 1147 Ferry 
Davenport George. 764 Washington 
Davis Wm V, 617 Northampton 
Diehl Chas P, 221 South Third 
Eisberg George W, 13S North Third 
Flint H D, 541 Northampton 
Hay Frank L. 1145 Northampton 
Knapp Wm H. 14S Northampton 
Lang John, United States Hotel 
Leidich Geo VV, 427 Northampton 
Leidich Herbert, 336 Northampton 
Memmert Chas H, it South Third 
Parks Wm R, 57 Centre Square 
Peil Nicholas, 119 Cattell 
Pierce Harry R, 1034 Washington 
Reich Stanton W, 936 Ferry 
Snyder Joseph, 227 South Fourth 
Youells B M, 66 North Front 
Youells T R S, IS South Third 
Ziemer Conrad, 666 Northampton 

BASKET MAKER. 
Stump Christian, 1033 Pine 



BILLIARD HALLS. 
Boyd Thad S, S W cor Centre Square 

BLACKSMITHS. 
Allabach George N, 64 North West 
AUabach Samuel, 65 North Bank 
Gutmann Gabriel, 1352 Northampton 
Hill Fred, 327 Ferry 
Messinger Sam'l P, 131 North Fourth 
Mount, Abram, 20 South Bank 
Peters Jos, Washington, near Seventh 
Welch J B, Sitgreaves, near Lehigh 

BONE MILLS. 
Wilson Bros, 43-47 Delaware 
BOOK BINDERS. 
Brown William, 2 Centre Square 
Maxwell Wm, N E cor Centre Square 
BOOKSELLERS & STATIONERS. 
Finlev George, 9 South Third 
FrueaufTH T, 15 South Fourth 
Lindemann J H. 416 Northampton 
Martin John, 116 South Third 
Maxwell Wm, N Ecor Centre Square 
Riegel Martin J, 421 Northampton 
Vogel E D, 218 Northampton 
Young W'illiam J, 227 Cattell 
BOOTS & SHOES WHOLESALE. 
Hapgood C M & Co, 28 South Third 
Hay Boot and Shoe Co, 339 North'n 

BOOTS AND SHOES. 
Arndt C A, 125 Northampton 



476 

Geehr Frank P, 263 Northampton 
Gilroy Henrv, 136 Northampton 
Hay Bool and Shoe Co, 343 North 'n 
Heil John, 210 Northampton 
Laugel Adam, 442 Northampton 
Laugel Adam, Jr, 102 Northampton 
Mebus John H, 162 Northampton 
Miller Aug S, 26 North Eleventh 
Moon VV VV & Co, 321 & 447 North'ton 
Roesch Louis, 113 South Third 
Steele, Thomas, 22,5 Cattell 
Tannewald R, 105 Northampton 
Teichman Michael, 706 Northampton 
Wilking J H & Co, 226 Northampton 
Waeppel & Daub, 207 South Third 
Wolslayer J O, 404 Northampton 

BOTTLERS. 
Kuebler Willibald, foot of Lehigh 
Newman A, 42 South Front 
Seitz Bros, Bushkill cor Green 

BRACE MANUFACTURERS. i 

Knickerbocker Brace Co, 333 Church 

BRASS WORKS. 
Young VVm, Sitgreaves cor Church 
BREWERS (LAGER BEER). 
Kuebler Willibald, foot of Lehigh 
Seitz Bros, Bushkill cor Green 
Veile Xavier, on the Bushkill Creek 

BRICK MANUFACTURER. 
CoUinge Alfred, North Elder alley 

BROKERS. 
Hackett & Chidsey, Centre Square 
Shawdee E H & Co, 27 South Third 
Williamson & Co., Drake's building 

BROOM MANUFACTURERS. 
Buckman, Jacob, 1512 Washington 
Rohrback O S, 1070 Dock 

BRUSH MANUFACTURER. 
Pollock John, 222 Northampton 

BUTCHERS. 
Andrews Daniel, 1036 Ferry 
Dachrodt Daniel L, 609 Northampt'n 
Dachrodt John, Fourth cor Ferry 
Dennig Charles A, 677 Pearl 
Felker Charles, 501 Northampton 
Genther John, 153 South Third 
Herster Wm H & Son, 27 N Fourth 
Kase Philip H, 516 New 
King Milton H, 131 North Third 
Norton J B, 74 North Second 
Pentz Marion A., 647 Northampton 
Sandt & Werkheiser, 201 Cattell 
Sandt T J, 334 Spring Garden 
Seibert F, 669 Northampton 
Snyder Charles, 127 Cattell 
Snyder Charles E, 722 Ferry 
Snyder F, 633 Walnut 
Spitznagle F, 104 Northampton 
Weber & Patier, 1214 Northampton 
Weidnecht H cSc S C, 133 S Third 
Weller George M, 506 Ferry 
Youugken W & Co, 636 Northampt'n 

CARPENTERS. 
Bachman Simon P, 12S South Bank 
Cole Charles T., 252 Pine 
Folkenson Jacob, 1000 Northampton 
Griffin George W, 687 Pine 
Hayden George W, 40 North Bank 
Heileck Reuben, 509 Pine 
Horn, Steinmetz I'i Co, 121 N Sitg'ves 
Lerch Frank J & Bro, Pine cor West 



THE HISTORY OF 

Morgenstern Lewis, cor Pine and S 

Mulberry 
Raub Jacob, Seventh cor Washingt'n 
Ricker Bros., 529 Northampton 
Snyder John H., 115 Ferry 
Walter Edward, 1022 Ferry 

CARPET CLEANING. 
Keller C P & Co, Delaware, between 
Third and Fourth 

CARPET WEAVERS. 
Hageman John, 622 Northampton 
Kummer Frank C, 2 North Fifth 
Laube Francis, 1447 Ferry 
Seibert George P, 526 Northampton 
Wenner Jacob D, 126 Northampton 

CARPETS. 
Able Edward, 352 Northampton 

CARRIAGE BODY MAKER. 
Lee William H, 31 North Fifth 
CARRIAGE BUILDERS AND 
PAINTERS. 
Albright & Co, 26 North Fourth 
Beck Joseph, Fourth above Bushkill 
Haupt Bros, rear 327 Ferry 
Morley Wm, Fourth above Bushkill 

CHEMISTS. 
Baker & Adamson, Junken.near city 

line 
CHINA, GLASS AND QUEENS- 
WARE. 
Pyatt, 430 Northampton 
Veile Edward S., 24 South Third 
Young J. McKeen, 211 Northampton 

CIGARS AND TOBACCO. 
Balentine James R. E., 123 S. Third 
Barron Samuel C, 23 South Fourth 
Baumeister Jacob, 415 Cattell 
Bowman John I, a South Third 
Carey John J., 100 Northampton 
Derr William H, 518 New 
Dunkel E K, 249 Northampton 
Eilenberger Howard, 213 South Fifth 
Fenicle Thomas, 506 Northampton 
Gardner E D, 607 Walnut 
Goldsmith Isaac, 324 Northampton 
Kelso James A., 1008 Northampton 
Kem merer Van Selan, 211 Cattell 
Leidich Thomas, 521 Northampton 
Menline Moses, 11 South Third 
Meyer Leo, 302 Northampton 
Miller Jonas, 470 Northampton 
Reichard Stephen, 634 Northampton 
Riegel Wm H, 659 Ferry 
Rinn Lizette, 314 Ferry 
Roll Wm F, 454 Northampton 
Rosenfelt Jacob S, 473 Northampton 
Schleicher Charles E., 639 North'n 
Schwartz F H, 515 Northampton 
Siebert George, North'n, cor Wood 
Siegfried Joseph, Jr, 209 South Third 
Sommer George A, 151 South Third 
Transue Samuel, 65i Northampton 
Weisel Cornelius, 227 South Third 
Wolfe Daniel S., S E cor Fourth and 

Northampton 
CIGAR BOX MANUFACTURERS. 
Cheesman Thos J, Franklin, c 14th 
Schan Andrew, 693 Pearl 
Youngkin Wm H, t,i North Seventh 

CIVIL ENGINEERS. 
Brady P, 17 South Third 
Cooper A J, Mt Vernon Hotel 



Young J Marshall, Knecht building 

CLERGYMEN. 
Anspach John M, 425 Ferry 
Blauvelt Geo M S, 817 North Second 
Cameron Jos P, 421 Clinton Terrace 
Carey J J, 70 North Front 
Carlisle Douglas, 225 Bushkill 
Condit U W, 941 Lehigh 
Ferrier E, 19 North Second 
Geissinger D H, 330 Ferry 
Hagan F F, The Arlington 
Hess Asher, 834 Ferry 
Hoffman L B, 42 South Second 
Hufford R W, 68 North Fourth 
Johnson John, 137 Spring Garden 
Kieffer H M, 31 North Third 
Kline J Hadley, 450 Ferry 
Knerr George, 502 Northampton 
Lee T J, 103 North Third 
Levan Charles W, 300 Cattell 
Lindsey Henry D, 122 North Second 
McGivern James, 132 South Fifth 
Stem T O, iioi Washington 
Stewart Edward H, 709 Ferry 
Trowbridge Charles R, 223 Porter 

CLOTHIERS. 
Gardner Bros, 420 Northampton 
Goldberg L & Co, 154 and 156 North 
Goldsmith Isaac, i and 3 South Third 
Goldsmith I M, 235 Northampton 
Goldsmith Simon, 358 Northampton 
Jacob Adolph, 116 Northampton 
Kalish William, 12 Centre Square 
Levy J & Co, 144 and 452 Northam'n 
Levy Herman, 510 Northampton 
Solomon Jacob, 336 Northampton 
Washington Clothing Co, 452 North'n 

COAL AND WOOD. 
Coyle William & Co, 318 Ferry 
Heck & Bro, 300 South Third 
Hilliard & Dinkey, 200 South Third 
Klusmever Henry, 144 Ferry 
Kresslv James F, foot South Fourth 
Manning Geo C & Son, Dock, west 

of Fourth 
Young James, 134 South Third 

COAL— WHOLESALE. 
Patterson J D, Market House Build'g 

CONFECTIONERS. 
Abel John, 237 Northampton 
Alcott Elwood M, 1032 Washington 
Bellis Charles, 631 Walnut 
Beless George, 145 South Third 
Bryan William M, 368 Washington 
Callaghan James H, 1201 Ferry 
DaParma Sarah L, 266 Northampton 
Graham Mrs Robert, 319 Cattell 
Holmes Annie, 121 Delaware 
Keiter John H, 157 South Fifth 
Kichline Edward, 652 Northampton 
Kilian Mrs K, 107 South Third 
Lamb Mrs E H, Odenweldertown 
Lewis Elizabeth, 623 Walnut 
Miller W R, looi Washington 
Moser Josiah, 461 Northampton 
Murphy B, 56 North Front 
Nolf Sophia, 644 Northampton 
Otto Mrs E, 152 Northampton 
Richter Mary A, 204 Cattell 
Snyder Daniel W, 43 South Third 
Sterner John, 56 South Twelfth 
Uhler Reuben, Suspension Bridge 
Wertley Jacob, no North Third 



EASTOX, PEXN'A. 



477 



CONTRACTORS. 
Lesher & Son, 1017 Ferry 
Smith Jas, College Hill 
COOPER. 
Gross Charles, Ph, 122 Church 

CORDAGE MANUFACTURERS, 
Riiiek's J, Sons, 25 South Third 

DENTISTS. 
Buckman \V E, 137 Northampton 
Bunting Oliver C, 37 North Third. 
Detweiler \V C, 440 Northampton 
Hertz John C, 11 Centre Square 
Hoffman Wm W, 43S Northampton 
King Theo F, 354 Northampton 
Seip Herbert F, 208 Northampton 
Weller & Honeywell, 212 North'n 

DETECTIVES. 
Johnson Jacob, 32 South Third 
Simons James, 117 Ferry 
DROVERS. 
Moses Samuel, 626 Northampton 
Moses Samuel, 703 Wood ave 

DRUGGISTS. 
Bachmann Chas L, log South Third 
Eckert J W, 145 Northampton 
Groom E W, 131 Cattell 
Hoff John P, 131 Northampton 
Hohl Stewart M, 5 South Third 
Hammann Wm E, 201 Northampton 
Huston James L, 901 Ferry 
Keiper Mrs. S H, 701 Northampton 
Laubach Stephen, Walnut cor Ferry 
Lawall C Son &Co, 437 Northampt'n 
Mebus Fred C, 114 South Third 
Odenwelder \ J, 400 Northampton 
Richards Mrs, 401 Northampton 
Reeser Tilghman H, 339 Cattell 
Semple H B & Son, 323 Northampton 
Serfass A Lincoln, 140 North Third 
Spengler Aaron, 530 Northampton 
Weaver John A, 332 Northampton 

DRY GOODS-RETAIL. 

Andrews & Nolf, 205 Northampton 
Arner Calvin, 413 Northampton 
Barnes Mary A , 638 Northampton 
Bricker Isaac, 219 South Third 
Bush & Bull, 305-307-309 Northampt'n 
Foster John O, 1057 Washington 
Carpenter Allen, 229 Northampton 
Kunsman W H, 436-438 Northamp'n 
Laubach Wm & Son, 326-32S North'n 
Lawall Lyman H, 446 Northampton 
Lear William, Ferry, cor Eleventh 
Mayer B D & C, 525 Northampton 
Nagle William H, 1155 Washington 
Orr Matthew, 306 Northampton 
Rader & Bro, 329 Northampton 
Riegel & Tinsman, 206 Northampton 
Schoch & Stecker, 301 Northampton 
Stern B, 629 Northampton 

DRY GOODS— WHOLESALE. 
Hay J & Sons, 2-46-8 Hay's Place 
Stewart W G & Son, 24 Centre Sq 
Bi.tler & Correll, iS and 20 S Third 

DYERS AND SCOURERS. 
King Wm H, 225 Ferry 
Rebmann Robert, Pine, cor Bank 
Schaefer Charles, Church, cor Bank 

ELECTRICIAN. 
Miller John H, 25 North Fourth 



EMERY MANUFACTURERS. 
Jackson Mills Emery Co, ft S Fourth 

ENGRAVERS. 
Coe George R, 13 South Fourth 
Raul Lewis, Pine, cor Bank 

EXPRESS COMPANIES. 
Adams S E cor Third and Centre Sq 
United States, 13 Centre Square 

FANCY GOODS. 
Coryell F R, 326 Spring Garden 
Edelman James A, 337 Northampton 
Goldsmith R, 159 Northampton 
Thatcher Isaac B, 227 Northampton 

FISH AND OYSTERS. 
Green Alfred, Easton Market House 
Speer William, lo North Fourth 
VanNorman William, 21 S Fourth 

FLORISTS. 
Johnston William, 62 North Front 
Keller William F, 1131 Ferry 

FLOUR, FEED AND GRAIN. 
Dull George E, 243 Ferry 
Fenicle Thomas, 506 Northampton 
Hawk Henry E, 215 South Third 
Kepler Tilghman, 115 South Third 
Walter Jacob, 144 South Third 
Zuck Milton T, 41 North Fourth 

FLOURING MILLS. 
Groetzinger Chas, 425 Bushkill 
Lafayette, North Third, c Delaware 
Lehicton, N 13th and Bushkill creek 

FOUNDRIES. 
Wilson Jacob, 49 and 51 Delaware 
Young & Schlough, Ferry & Sitg'ves 

FRUITS— WHOLESALE. 
Fraunfelter Frank, South Third 

FURNITURE. 
Daub Wm J, 403 and 405 Northam'n 
Fulmer Wm, 14 and 16 South Fourth 
Garis Cornelius W, 228 Northampton 
Garis William E, 353 Northampton 
Leininger George E, 104 South Third 
Taylor Z, 524 Northampton 

FURRIER. 
Gould Mrs S, 169 Northampton 

GROCERS. 
Arp John, 47 North Fourth 
Barnet George, 507 Northampton 
Brown Michael J, Odenweldertown 
Bleckley E D, 201 Ferry 
Conklin & Co, 300 Northampton 
Cornell & Michler, 23 South Third 
Cressman Jeremiah, 51 North Fourth 
Daub Theo G, Third, cor Lehigh 
Dech Charles D, 724 Ferry 
Dull Frank, 12 South Third 
Fleming Christian K, 401 Bushkill 
Foster John O, 1057 Washington 
Franklin Christian, 601 Walnut 
Frantz & Shafer, 68 North Third 
Fraunfelder Lewis, 231 Cattell 
Gulick A C & Co, 169 Northampton 
Hay Philip, 1150 Northampton 
Hay T A I,. 637 Northampton 
Jones W B, cor North'n and Second 
Kemmerer B F, 468 Northampton 
Laubach Robert, 1021 Northampton 
Lear Peter, 1301 Northampton 
Lear William, Ferry, cor Eleventh 
Leibert John, 633 Northampton 



Ludwig Henry, 40 South Fifth 
McCauley James, 900 Ferry 
Martin Joseph H, 434 Cattell. 
Mershon George M, 1000 Ferry 
Meyer Abraham, 500 Ferry 
Meyer Joseph, 129 South Fourth 
Michael Joseph, Ninth, cor Walnut 
Michler Edgar E, 142 Northampton 
Michler James P, 117 North Third 
Morrow Charles, 346 Broad 
Moser Manaver C, 15th, c Washing'n 
Nagle W H, 1155 Washington 
Neary John T, 1065 Dock 
Nute George H, 44 Cattell 
Odenwelder H P B, 698 Northampton 
Reich Owen, Si.xth corner Walnut 
Reichard George W, 200 South Si.xth 
Rodenbach Thos, 1140 Ferry 
Shawde John J, 205 South Fourth 
Shellenberger H H, Third cor Ferry 
Siegfried J A, 603 Northampton 
Sigman Thomas C, 700 Northampton 
Socks Michael, 663 Northampton 
Snyder Wm F, Walnut cor Lehigh 
Sperling J G, I3utler op Fair Ground 
Thomas Mrs Mary E, Walnut c Wash 
Titus Bros, 532 Ferry 
Uhler Joseph H, 200 Cattell 
Walsh Wm L, loi Bushkill 
Werkheiser Wm, 517 New 

GROCERS— WHOLESALE. 
Drake's J Sons & Co, 17 Soulh Third 
Tombler H G, 100 South Third 

GUNSMITHS. 
Fulmer Jonathan, 519 Northampton. 
Phillippe S & Co, 16 South Third 

HARDWARE. 
Anglemeyer Jeremiah, 414 North'n 
Gamier A B, 118 Northampton 
Hunt Edward I, 115-1T9 Northampt'n 
Losey & Co, 347 Northampton 
Miller S K & Co, 475 Northampton 
Miller Thomas T, 30 North Fourth 
Osterstock John S & Co. 22 Centre Sq 
Weaver W Stewart, 456 Northampt'n 

HARNESS MAKERS. 
Martin James, TfT,!, Northampton 
Moore Jonathan, a North Fourth 
Steckel L, 504 Northampton 
Yelles Henry, 14S South Third 

HATS AND CAPS. 
Daily Thomas, 15 South Third 
S hiffer, Boyer & Co, 500 Northampt'n 
Woodring Richard A, 432 Northam'n 

HOTELS. 
American House, Third, cor Lehigh 
Arlington House, 3d, cor Spg Garden 
Barnet House, 55 North Fourth 
Central, Fourth, cor Northampton 
Clifton House, 1242 Northampton 
Court House, 6S3 Walnut 
Fairview House, 1030 Butler 
First Ward, Phila road, c Washing'n 
Forest House, Butler, near 17th 
Franklin House, 424 and 426 North'n 
Gerver House, 126 Northampton 
Keystone, 359 Bushkill 
Mansion, Cattell, cor Monroe 
Mt. Vernon, 542 Northampton 
Pa.xinosa Inn, Chestnut Hill 
Star, 649 Walnut 

Strauss, Mrs Moses H, 653 North'n 
Swan, 458 and 460 Northampton 
United States, ii» North Third 
Zeiner John, end Lehigh Bridge 



478 



THE HISTORY OF 



ICE DEALERS. 
Coyle Wm & Co, 31S Ferry 
Delaware Ice Co, 329 Ferry 

INSURANCE. 
Brunner John, 17 South Third 
Downs James S, 332 Northampton 
Duncan Joseph R, 464 Northampton 
Hackett & Chidsev, next to post office 
Hetrich Charles B, Market Building 
Kichline G F, S \V cor Centre Square 
Kolb Reuben, 329 Northampton 
Pvle Robert C, 326 Northampton 
Shawde E H & Co, 27 South Third 
Shimer Howard C, 453!s Northam"n 
Shrope L S, 515 Northampton 

INSURANCE COMPANIES. 
Prudential Ins Co, Lawall's Building 
Fire Insurance. S E cor Centre Sq 
Northampton Mutual Live Stock In- 
surance Co, 329 Northampton 
Franklin Livestock InsCo, 515 Nor'n 

JEWELERS. 
Ackerman T F, 423 Northampton 
Betz H M, Knecht's Building 
Bi.xler C Willis, 406 Northampton 
Bixler J E, 317 Northampton 
Bush William A, 166 Northampton 
Clark David, 245 Northampton 
Fox & Fulmer, 345 Northampton 
Heckman Edward, 13 South Fourth 
Schoch J Howard. 103 South Third 
Smith J Richmond, 149 Northampton 

JUNK DEALERS. 
Klein George, Seventh, cor Pine 

LAUNDRIES. 
Easton Steam, 125 North Sitgreaves 

LEATHER AND FINDINGS. 
Fraley Jacob, 351 Northampton 
LIME BURNERS AND DEALERS. 
Kocher Wm I, 700 Northampton 
Smith George, 22 South Fourth 

LIQUORS— WHOLESALE. 
Bercaw Charles, Third, cor Ferry 
Runyan Thomas A, 158 Northampt'n 
Sage H .A, 352 Northampton 
Wolfe & Co, 14 North Fourth 
LIVERY & BOARDING STABLES. 
.Able Josiah, 40 North Second 
Frankenfield .Amos J, rear U S Hotel 
Fields D S, Sitgreaves near Ferry 
Francisco & Co, foot N Sitgreaves 
Heck Geo, Washington, above 3d 
Hemingway Charles L, Church, c 5th 
Hill Fred, 325 Ferry 
Lehn George D, Pine, cor Bank 
Shipman George, North Bank 

LOCKSMITHS. 
Cochems Henry, 650 Northampton 
Preusser Richard F, 241 Ferry 
Schindler Edward, 107 North Fourth 

LUMBER DEALERS. 
Manning Geo C & Son, Dock, west of 

Fourth and P'g 
Schimmel George, 421 Church 
Stair John E, 22 Lehicton 
Steinmetz & Zearfoss, 31 South Front 
Zearfoss & HlUiard, Front & Bushk'l 

.MALSTER. 
Seitz C & F, 127 to 139 Ferry 



MARBLE YARDS. 
Carey George .A, iS South Fifth 
Easton Marble Co, 123 South Fourth 
Frey .Aaron, 351 Ferry 
Hartzel & Smith, 431 Bushkill 
Howell D J, 23 South Front 
Ippich Christian, 1220 Spruce 

MEATS— WHOLESALE. 
Easton Beet Co, Canal, near L V R 
R freight depot, S E 

MENS FURNISHING GOODS. 
Seitz C E, Northampton & Centre Sq 
Friedlich .Moses, 402 Northampton 
Sherer Bros, no Northampton 

MERCHANT TAILORS. 
Correll Jacob C, 126 Northampton 
Freeman Nathan, 310 Northampton 
Freytag Bros, 454 Northampton 
Goehler Philip, 20 South Fourth 
Goodman Jesse S, 44 Spring Garden 
Hasbrouck& Kloffenstein, cor North- 
ampton and Bank 
Herst David, 207 Northampton 
Mohr Herman, 1131 Lehigh 
Pickel .Andrew, 514 Northampton 
Reese Jacob H, S E cor Centre .Sq 
Rosenfelt Lewis, 459 Northampton 
Schwartz Jacob, Snufftown 
Shimer P .\ & Son, 342 Northampton 
Ziegenhorn Henry, 121 South Third 

MILLINERS. 
Bunstein & Co., 215 .Northampton 
Heller .Maria F, 4 Centre Square 
Hellman & Bro, 161 Northampton 
Parks Mrs G, 109 Northampton 
Rosenbaum L, 407 Northampton 
Stern Bros, 356 Northampton 
Stinson Mrs E S, in Northampton 
Wolf Sarah, 40S Northampton 
Yeager J, loi Northampton 

MUSIC INSTRUMENTS. 
Keller W H, 219 and 221 Northam'on 
Lindemann J H, 416 Northampton 
Moser Josiah, 461 Northampton 

MUSIC TE.\CHERS. 
Beth man Charles, 673 Northampton 
Coates Thomas, loS South Third 
Eschenbach Emma M, 1040 Butler 
Fritsche Otto, 36 South Front 
Kichline Laura, 333 High 
Lerch Jennie M, 521 Ferry 
Mattes Henry L, 38 South Fifth 
Michler Albert S, Northa'n bey. 17th 
Pierce Jennie E, 221 South 17th 
Roehner Henrv K. 6S7 Ferry 
Rohn Olin, 242 Bushkill Court 
Schneider .\nnie N C, 214 Bushkill 
Siegfried Joseph, 209 South Third 
Stier Walter C, iii South Third 
VanDoren Joseph M, 165 South Sixth 
Vannatta Luella, 217 South Fifth 

NOTARIES. 
Finley George, 9 South Third 
Noble John, 1035 Washington 
Brunner John, Drake Building 

OYSTERS. 
Dudley Frank, 141 NorthThird 
Garren Jacob W, 23 Centre Sq\iare 
Rice & Arnold, 1^6 Northampton 
Stein Christnia, 141 South Third 



OIL DEALERS. 
.■\cme Oil Co, Sitgreaves near Lehigh 
Hess Oil Co, Sitgreaves near Lehigh 
Kossnic Lubricating Oil Co, Bank cor 

Snvder Court 
Philips J G & Co, Lehigh and Third 
Rothenthausler Otto, 1055 Elm 
Steckel Frank E, 144 Pine 
Wendling John, 1004 Northampton 
ORGAN MANUF.\CTURERS. 
Lawrence Organ Works, 320 S Tenth 
Riegel M J, 421 Northampton 

PAINTERS. 
.Albert Conrad, 1006 Northampton 
Bond A W, 518 Pine 
Drew & Tinsman, 77 North West 
Hartley & Peifer, 12S South Bank 
Hav & Randolph, 40 North Bank 
Heiler & Co, Pine cor Bank 
Lair John, iiii Ferry 
.Mack F W. 400 Northampton 
.Miller Horace J, 336 Northampton 
Moritz & Stratton, 132 Bank 
MuUerC H. North Second 
Roberts Geo F, 25 North Fourth 
PAPER DEALERS-WHOLESALE 
Nevin Geo B, 320 Ferry 

PHOTOGRAPHERS. 
Brown C \ H, 14 South Third 
Hoffmeier S B, 23 Centre Square 
Knecht Frank, 354 Northampton 
McCabe James, 429 Northampton 
Pach Alex L, 220 North Third 
Stout's Gallery, 303 & 307Northam'n 
PHYSICIANS— See page 442. 

PLUMBERS. 
Gebhart C, 459 Northampton 
Haines Harry H, 13 South Fourth 
Kelly Wm C, 210 Northampton 
Mack John W, 67 Centre Square 
Peacock Robert, Pine, bet 3d & Bank 
Thumejohn F, Bank, cor Pine 
Trumbore Wm, 219 Church 
Vannorman J, cor Fourth and Church 

PRINTERS. 
Creveling Frank, 532 Northampton 
Easton Argus, North Bank 
Eschenbach Gustavus W, 8 N Fourth 
Express, 17 South Bank 
Free Press, 12 and 18 South Bank 
Sunday Call, 31S Ferry 
West Geo W, S. W cor Centre Square 

PRODUCE. 
Crater Joseph F & Sons, 47 S Third 
Magee Wm, Easton .Market House 
Melick Howard, 219 Ferry 
White William, Masonic Hall 

PROVISIONS -WHOLESALE. 
Rice George O, Delaware 

REAL ESTATE AGENTS. 
Edelman Wm C, 334 Northampton 
Knecht & Weisenbach, 529 North n 
Shrope L S, 515 Northampton 

RESTAURANTS. 
Eichman Charles, 537 Northampton 
Green Geo B, Third, cor Centre Sq 
Kelley Edward R, loS Northampton 
Rice George W, 543 Northampton 
Walter William H, 342 Northampton 
Walter W Frank, 50 Centre Square 



E AS TON, PENN'A. 



479 



SALOONS. 
Aiier Christian, 621 Northampton 
Black John D, 7T,}, South Fourth 
Curren Thomas. 34 Northampton 
Frey Joseph T, 1 10 South Third 
Garren Abraham L. 37 South Third 
Hughes John. 211 South Third 
Koch Fred. 127 South Third 
Kurth B. Bank cor Church 
Laubert Jacob, 229 South West 
Newman .Andrew, 509 Northampton 
Reichard Samuel A. 51S Northam'n 
Renz Conrad, 300 South Fourth 
Schleicher Peter. 665 Nonhampton 
Seidl Max. 22 North Fourth 
Sonimer George \, 151 South Third 
Tacke Mrs Fred, 631 Northampton 
Terry Frank L, 42 South Third 
Weaver Wm, 19 South Bank 

SCROLL SAWYERS. 
Garis Owen, 142 South Third 

SEWING MACHINE AGENTS. 
Francisco Wm R, 441 Northampton 
Schey W H. 469 Northampton 
Ward Benjamin F, 10 South Fourth 

SHIRT MANUFACTURERS. 
Butz Samuel, 339 Northampton 
Standard Mfg Co, Bank, cor Church 

SILK MILLS. 
Simon R & H, N 13th at Bushkill 

SLATE ROOFERS. 
Linden J N, 100 North Fourth 
Roseberry James J, 627 Northampton 



STONE DEALERS. 

Adams James, 225 Church 

Kelley Patrick, Lehigh, cor S West 

Smith George, 22 South Fourth 

STOVES AND TINWARE. 

Black Daniel, 234 Northampton 
Heller Augustus F, 3S South Third 
Mack Elias B, 410 Northampton 
Meeker C W, 313 Northampton 
Miller Henry R, 623 Northampton 
Norton H. M, 200 Northampton 
Osterstock J S, 212 to 216 Northam'n 
Reaser Lewis, 323 Cattell 
Schooley Henry C, 11 26 Northampt'n 
Schultz John, 697 Northampton 
Stengelin Mrs -Anna. 125 South Third 

STOVE MANUFACTURER. 
Wilson Jacob, 49 and 51 Delaware 

TANNERS. 
Brinker S W & Co, Franklin, nr 14th 
Nenning Edward A, Bushkill 

TEA AND COFFEE DEALERS. 
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co, 27 S Third 
Becker's Peoples Tea Co, 230 Nort'n 
Grand Union Tea Co, 13 South Third 

TELEGRAPH COMPANY. 

Western Union Telegraph Company, 

S E cor Centre Square and Third 

TELEPHONE COMPANY. 
Pennsylvania, 415 Northampton 



TOB.ACCO— WHOLESALE. 
Dunkel E K, 249 Northampton 
Dunn .■\ R. 37 and 39 North Fourth 
Magee Bros. 124 Northampton 

TRUNKS, VALISES, Etc. 
Martin James, x-,^ Northampton 
UMBRELLA MENDERS. 
Eschenbach G W, 40."* Northam;)ton 
Riey Jacob, 614 Church 

UNDERTAKERS. 
.■\shton Fratik. Pine, cor Bank 
Johnson Wm H J. 676 Church 
Keller Willam, Bank, cor Pine 
Taylor Z, 524 Northampton 

VETERINARY SURGEONS, 
Blank C J, 318 Ferry 
Burwell Edgar, 31S Ferry 
Fulmer B .^, 46 South Second 
Koehler & Moyer, 533 Northampton 

WALL PAPERS. 
Hazzard John, Sr, 610 & 622 Walnut 
Hazzard Wm H, 23S S: 240 Northa'n 
Mansfield & Helms, 143 Northampton 
VanAllen D D, 41 South Third 

WHEELWRIGHTS. 
Barron Bros, 684 Northampton 
Roberts .A J, rearSitgreaves nr Lehigh 
Messinger S, foot of North Fourth 

WOOD AND WILLOW WARE, 
Bi.xler Lewis E. 425 Northampton 
Sciple George, 138 South Third 



Note, — On page 373 mention is made that during the administration of Mayor Chidsey the heirs of Wil- 
liam Penn made a formal demand for the Circle in the Square of this city, and that C. B. Tavlor, Esq., of Phil- 
adelphia, who represented the heirs, had entered the Circle and taken formal possession of the land, and that 
the attorney was ejecled therefrom by the Mayor. Mention is also made that action would be brought in the 
United States District Court to recover the property. This trial took place in October, 1SS9. The plaintiff in 
the case was William Stuart, an heir-at-law of William Penn. It was claimed by the plaintiff that the land, 
80 feet square, was given to the county and town for the purpose of erecting a Court House thereon, and that 
when it should be used for any other purpose, it should revert to the heirs of the donor. The propertv had 
ceased to be used for the intended purpose, and the heiis claimed the property. The defendants, on the other 
hand, contended that the grant to the county created a trust and not a condition, and that the Penns had 
thereby parted with their whole estate. A verdict was rendered in favor of the defendants. The plaintiff asked 
for a new trial, which was denied by the Court. The case was tried before Circuit Judge McKenna, and a jury ; 
Mr. C. Berkley Taylor represented the plaintiff, Mr. H- S Cavanaugh, County Solicitor, and .Mr. H. J. Steele, 
City Solicitor, represented the defendants. The case will be finalh' decided by the United States Supreme 
Court. The attornejs in preparing this case were compelled to examine the records at Harrisburg, and during 
their investigation they found what, to the citizens of Easton, is a novelty in their history. They found a sur- 
vey of the land upon which Easton stands, dating as far back as 1736, fourteen years prior to the surve\- of 
William Parsons. This survey extends along the right bank of the Delaware 300 rods " to ye point, " along 
the left bank of the Lehigh 494 rods, and from this point north 453 rods to the Bushkill, thence 563 rods to the 
point of starting, on the right bank of the Delaware. This survey encloses 1000 acres, owned bv Thomas Penn . 
On the back of the sheet upon which the survey was found is recorded the fact that Thomas Penn came in pos- 
session of this land by the successful draught of a ticket in a lottery. This was in 1735, two years before the 
famous " Indian walk." The title of Thomas Penn was not affected by that transa<?tiou, but the original title 
by which the land on whicn our city stands was obtained, was by legalized gamblin.g By reference to Vol. i 
of the Pennsylvania Archives, page 455, we learn that John, Thomas and Richard Penn, in 1735, made arran.3;e- 
ments to sell 100.000 acres of land by " lottery sales." The survey above allude'l to was mile in i7^6.solhis 
is quite likely the lottery in which Thomas Penn became possessed of the title of the land at the " Forks " 



SOUTH EASTON 




HE location of South Easton is on the south bank of the Lehigh river, 
directly opposite the city of Easton. It was originally a portion of the 
township of Williams, and a part of the present site of the town was, in 
years long past, a farm, owned by Melchoir Hay, (the ancestor of the Hay 
family, of later date), one of the axemen who helped to clear away 
the thickets in the Forks of the Delaware and along the Bushkill for Par- 
sons and Scull, when they laid out the town of Easton in 1750. His tract 
was three hundred acres in extent, and was (probably on account of ser- 
vices rendered to the agents of the Proprietaries) freed forever from the 
usual quit-rent, which, at the rate, would have amounted to 12s. 6d., or 
$1.66 per annum, on the entire tradl. Jacob Eyerly, of Nazareth, purchased 
the three hundred acres (there was another small lot belonging to the Hay property) in 
the year 1796, and two years later sold it again to Henry Snyder, of Easton, for eight 
hundred pounds. It continued as simply a farm trad for thirty years, when it fell into 
the hands of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, and by them the town of South 
Easton (the first modest commencement of the present borough) was laid out in 1833. 

It was incorporated as a borough July 8, 1840. An AcT; of Assembly had been passed 
May 27, 1840, entitled "An A(?t to eredl the town of South Easton, in the county of 
Northampton, into a borough, and for other purposes," which Act directed an election 
to be held at the house of David Moyer, in said borough, " To elect one citizen, who shall 
be styled Burgess ; and six citizens who shall be a Council, and shall also elect, as afore- 
said, a High Constable." Such election having been held on the fourth of July, 1840, 
the following officers were duly elected : Burgess, Christian Martin ; Councihnen, Wil- 
liam Nyce, Bartholomew :\Iurtha, Amos Rogers, Gilbert Valentine, George Savage, and 
David ]\Ioyer ; High Constable, Jacob Deiley. In the year 1865, the borough was made 
subject to the restrictions imposed, and invested with all the privileges and powers con- 
ferred, by "An Act regulating boroughs," etc., passed in 1851. 

It was the canal outlet, and the very extensive water-power furnjshed by the canal, 
which induced the establishment of the town by the company in 1833. Apart from these 
the advantages of location would never have been thought sufficient to invite the estab- 
lishment of business, other than that of agriculture. 

The first enterprise in manufa(5turing, was the establishment of a saw mill, in 1822, by 
A. Abbott and James McKeen. In 1833-34 a patent bucket manufactory was started by 
Messrs. Bush & Paling, but the enterprise was unsuccessful, and in 1836 the building was 
purchased by Clark & Maxwell, and converted into a grist mill. 

Amos Rogers was the first to open the business of blacksmithing in South Easton. 
The old gentleman is still living (1889). Joseph Waltham was the first house-carpenter 
in'.the town, he having built a house here in the fall of 1834. 



SOI FN E ASTON 



481 




The first public house was licensed in 
April, 1834, and opened by Henry Eichman, 
at the corner of Canal and Delaware streets. 
The first store was opened in 1834 by Philip H. 
Depui, and the first physician was Dr. Alex- 
ander Gaston, who came from West Chester, Pa. 

A second flour mill was erected in 1834 by 
Charles Swift. This was a stone structure. 
In 1856 the building was changed into a foun- 
dry and machine establishment, where the en- 
gine and boilers of the ill-fated Alfred Thomas 
were manufactured. F. M. Wells and James 
Kidd had control of the business. 

A cotton mill was established in 1835 by 
Swift & Beck. This enterprise was the pioneer 
of the business which has become so important 
a branch of industry in the years which have 
succeeded. In 1844 the mill passed into the 
hands of McKeen & Ouinn, who enlarged and 
extended the business. In 1872 the firm name 
was changed to McKeen & Raphael, and in 
1888 the company was incorporated and is now 
known as The Lehigh Mills Company. The 
presidency is vacant, owing to the recent death 
of Henry McKeen, and-its Treasurer is Henry 
McKeen, Jr. Two hundred hands are em- 
ployed and the mills use from fifteen to eighteen 
hundred bales of cotton annually. 

A blast-furnace for making pig-iron was 
erecled in South Easton, in 1839, by Barnet, 
vSwift & Co. The blast was driven by the 
water-power of the canal and the fuel used was 
charcoal, from near the Lehigh Water Gap. 
The ore smelted was principally the brown 
hematite, mined at the base of the South 
Mountain, with a small proportion of magnetic 
ore from New Jersey. The furnace produced 
about twenty-five tons per week. In 1844 the 
furnace, together with the large stone foundry 
annexed, came into possession of Frederick 
Goddell, who demolished it, and on its site 
erecled a new one, in which anthracite coal 
was used. In 1854 it was purchased by the 
Glendon Iron Company, who are its present 
owners. 



482 THE HISTORY OF 

.Stewart & Co. 's wire mills were originally started about 1S37 for the inanufadlnre of 
nails, but this they relinquished and commenced the manufa6lure of wire. The works at 
first produced about 25,000 bundles annually and the increase has been steady and gradual 
until now their capacity when in full operation is 600,000 bundles per year. The owners 
use nothing but the best charcoal iron in the produ6lion of their iron wire, it being 
obtained principally in the States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maryland, 
with some as far off as Canada, Germany, Sweden and Norway. The introdu<5lion into 
use of barbed wire for fencing rendered necessary the use of bessemer steel in addition to 
the iron which had for many years been solely used in the manufadlure of wire. It was 
in the manufacture of only the very best grades of iron wire in multiplied forms and for 
multitudinous purposes that the firm built up its reputation for their excellent produ6l, 
surpassed by none in the country or the world. They employed at first only fort\-five 
hands, which number has been increased from time to time until when in full operation 
they require for their produdl of 80 tons per day, 250 hands. In i860 in order to meet 
the demands of their increasing business, it was necessary to add another mill to the 
■works, and in 1870 still another was required. These buildings are known as mills Nos. 
I, 2 and 3, and have a frontage of eleven hundred feet, which does not include a number 
of smaller buildings, nor the building eredled expressly for the use of the barbed wire 
fadlory along the L. V. R. R., in length 275 feet by 45 wide and two stories high. The 
works are run entirely by water power, save two large benches which are driven by steam 
power. The firm as originally established in 1837, remained without change until 1852, 
when Mr. Charles Rodenbough retired, and the business title was changed to Stewart & 
Co. In 1864 Mr. John Stewart, though still retaining an interest, relinquished his a<5live 
identification with the works after having been connedled with them for a period of 
twenty-seven years. Charles Stewart, who had been his assistant, succeeded him as 
manager, with Clement Stewart as assistant manager. The firm as now constituted 
comprise Messrs. Chas. and Clement Stewart and the heirs of Jno. Stewart and Jno. Green. 

The opening of the Lehigh Valley Railroad from Easton to Mauch Chunk in 1855, and 
the erection of its immense works since that time, is the most important factor in the 
growth and prosperity of South Easton. In the year 1856 the company commenced the 
erection of a round house and turn table on what is known as the Odenwelder farm, and 
the first building was five stalls of a stone round house, two of which were used as a repair 
shop and the other three to house locomotives. The corn crib and wagon house was used 
for an office and blacksmith shop, with a portable forge, and the barn was utilized for a 
carpenter shop to repair cars. In i860 the business had increased to that extent that it 
was necessary to build larger shops and increase the number of employees. The following 
were then erected : Machine shop, 60 feet wide by 150 feet long ; black smith shop, 40 
feet wide by 150 feet long ; carpenter shop, 36 feet wide by 125 feet long. 

In i860 there were employed in the shop sixty-three men and on the road twenty 
locomotives. The pay rolls of the shop at this place, in i860, amounted to $2,040.55 per 
month, and at the present time (1889) the amount paid out monthly is $28,400.00 to shop 
employees. In i860 there were twenty locomotives used to do the business from Mauch 
Chunk to Easton, and at the present time it requires one hundred and seventy-five locomo- 
tives to move the immense and constantly increasing traffic from Mauch Chunk to 
Perth Ambov. 



SOUTH E ASTON. 483 

In 1875 the road was extended from Easton to Perth Amboy, a distance of sixty and 
one-half miles, where the coal is loaded into vessels for shipment. 

In 1878 it was found necessary to again enlarge the works on account of the increased 
business, and it was feared they would be taken away from South Easton on account 
of not having sufficient room to build, when the business men and public spirited citizens 
agreed to purchase a block of ground covered with buildings adjoining the present works, 
the company agreeing to pay $50,000 of the purchase money if the citizens would pay 
the balance. After the purchase of the property the following buildings were eredled 
thereon : Car shop, 60 feet by 300 feet ; foundry, 50 feet by 200 feet ; engine (or 
round) house, 300 feet in diameter, with 40 pits for locomotives ; office, 40 feet by 40 feet, 
two stories ; ere<5ting shop with room for eleven locomotives, 75 feet wide by 280 feet long, 
two stories ; transfer table, 40 feet wide, on which the locomotives are transferred from 
the round house to the pits in the erefting shop to be repaired. 

At the present time there are 550 men employed in these shops in repairing old and 
building new locomotives and passenger cars, which are as good as any built in the United 
States. John I. Kinsey has been master mechanic from May 14, 1856, to the pfesent time. 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad Bridge Shops are located a short distance above the 
railroad station, and were for many years under the superintendence of the late William 
Kellog, but since that gentleman's decease, W. F. Pascoe has been in charge. A large 
force of skilled mechanics and laboring men are employed, and are sent over the entire 
length of the L. V. R. R. to construct bridges, build depots, etc. 

The National Switch and Signal Company is a comparatively new industry here and 
is occupying the large structure vacated a few years ago by the Iowa Barbed Wire Works. 
The brilliant railroad signals at the L. V. R. R. bridge shops were first ere6led there on 
trial, is the invention of C. Hirschel Koyl, and is known as the Koyl Parabolic Sema- 
phore. As this is the only semaphore in the world of which the blade can be seen both 
day and night (red for danger and white for safety) we append a brief description : Day- 
light fixed signals on railroads have heretofore been position signals, changing in position 
only, and the night signal has changed in color only, and it was desired by the railroads 
to have a semaphore which should change both position and color at all times. This 
semaphore was invented for this purpose, the blade being illuminated at night by the 
lamp which is in front, and its great value consists in the fa(fl that at night the railroad 
semaphore light can not be mistaken for any other light. The city of Philadelphia has 
just awarded to Prof Koyl the John Scott Legacy Medal as marking their appreciation 
of the value of the new semaphore. W. F. Pascoe is the engineer in charge. 

The Franklin Fire Company was established about the year 1840. At that time it 
was known as the Pocohontas Fire Company, and was organized by the older citizens of 
the borough. It was conducted by them for a few years, when it passed into the hands of 
the young men. The old Pocohontas company used a hand engine built in New York, 
and after the young men took the matter in hand, they purchased a hose carriage from the 
Franklin Fire Company of Philadelphia, and the facft of this name being handsomely 
marked upon the apparatus, induced the company tochange their name to the "Franklin." 
James Young was President. The company afterwards purchased a steamer from New 
York. The present officers are — President, Jacob Kemmer ; Vice President, Harry Paul ; 
Secretary, James Case; Treasurer, Richard ]\IcKeen; Engineer, Edward Ashmore. 



484 THE HISTORY OF 

Tlie Liberty Hose Company No. 2 was reorganized January i, 1889. The officers of 
the company are : President, Charles Elkins ; \'ice President, Joseph Goth ; Secretary, 
Nicholas Albus ; Treasurer, Nicholas Hertkorn. 

The Citizens' Hose Company No. 3 of the Third Ward was formed early in 1888, and 
was reorganized and recognized by Council in January, 1889. The company has a fine 
carriage and a thousand feet of Eureka hose. The officers of the company are : President, 
A. H. R. Guiley, M. D. ; Vice President, William McKee ; Secretary, George Furguson ; 
Treasurer, Thomas L. Rice. There are twenty-five active members. 

Delaware Street M. E. Church. — The oldest church society of South Easton 
is that of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, a class being formed as early as 1S34. 
For a number of years their meetings were held in the school house. In 1843 ^ congre- 
gation was formed by the ele6lion of a board of trustees and a frame house of worship 
erected. In i860 the present commodious structure at Mauch Chunk and Delaware 
streets was dedicated. Fifteen years later the parsonage was built on part of the church 
lot. The churcli and sabbath school connected therewith are now in a very prosperous 
condition.* The pastor is Rev. J. T. Swindells. 

St. Joseph's German Catholic Church. — This church was ercted in 1852 and 
occupies a commanding position on the summit of Lehigh hill, overlooking both the 
the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys, and the greater portions of the cities of Easton and 
Phillipsburg. Conneoled with the church is a fine parsonage and a parochial school 
capable of accommodating several hundred children. This is under the charge of the 
Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth, N. J., who carefully look after its temporal needs. A 
good common school education in both English and German is furnished wholly at the 
expense of the church. The present pastor is Rev. James Regenery. 

St. Peter's Reformed Church. — The congregation of St. Peter's Reformed 
Church was organized by the elecflion of trustees in May 1862, but did not become a self- 
supporting charge until the spring of 1884, when with about one hundred members Rev. 
G. W. Roth assumed the pastorate. In 1886 Rev. M. H. Mill, the present minister, took 
charge of the flock, and the society became a corporate body. For some years decided 
progress in a spiritual sense, monetary soundness and numerical strength has been made. 
At the present writing their new house of worship'is in process of erection at the corner 
of Main and Centre streets. The corner stone was laid on July 28, 1889. When com- 
pleted it will be the largest, as well as one of the finest church edifices in the borough. 
The congregation at present numbers about two hundred and fifty souls. 

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This society was organized in 
January, 1863, and conjointly with St. Peter's Reformed congregation worshiped in Hay's 
Chapel until the summer of 1884, when they removed to the lecture room and two years 
later took possession of the main room of their handsome new building at Berwick and 
Delaware streets, completed and dedicated June 13, 1886. Rev. J. O. Upp has overseen 
the spiritual affairs of the congregation since June, 1877. 

Grace Evangelical Church. — This association began its now prosperous career 
in 1869, when Rev. Dr. O. L. Saylor, of Easton, organized a class and held prayer meet- 
ings at the homes of those interested in the denominational work. The progress was 
however slow until Rev. S. C. Breyfogle by skillful management and unfaltering zeal 
rented a room and organized a class of about twenty members in 1879. During the three 



E ASTON, PENN'A. 485 

j-ears of Rev. Breyfogle's ministration many disadvantages were overcome and a slow but 
steady growth was maintained. In 1882, the conference assigned Rev. W. H. vStaiiffer 
to the charge and instructed him to use every exertion towards the erection of a chapel. 
The minister and his band of followers worked hard and the edifice at the corner of Wilkes- 
Barre and McKeen streets is the result of their labors. The present pastor is Rev. G. 
Wes. Marquardt. 

Presbyterian Church. — The movement which resulted in the establishment of a 
church of this denomination began in 1874. For many years prior to this time Sunday 
Schools had been condudled mainly through the combined efforts of the First Presbyter- 
ian and the Brainerd churches of Easton, its instru(5lors principally being students of 
Lafayette College. In January, 1879, a petition was presented to the Presbytery, signed 
by fifty-seven names for the establishment of a church, but while that body declined, it 
advised the raising of funds to build a house of worship. In 1881 a lot was purchased 
and on September 22, a church was organized with ninety-five members which soon after 
reached one hundred and thirty-three, and at the present time there are one hundred and 
fifty. Rev. J. F. Sheppard is the present pastor and the only one the church has had 
since its organization. 

A Borough Superintendent of Schools and the separation of their school system from 
that of the County has been effeclive in raising the standard of scholarship, in the eredlion 
of first-class and well-equipped school buildings, and in giving to the borough a corps of 
excellent teachers. Previous to 1877 there was virtually little if any system in the public 
schools of the borough. Between the above date and 1883 they were under the principal- 
ship of W. H. jMcIlhaney, who reorganized them, and upon this reorganization the present 
excellent system has been developed and rapid progress made. Graduates are fitted to 
enter any of the courses of Lafayette College. The free book system has been in vogue 
since 1883. Twenty teachers are employed in nineteen schools, as follows : One high 
school, five grammar, five secondaries and eight primaries. About 1200 scholars are upon 
the rolls. Samuel E. Sliull is the present superintendent. 

At the present time the social standing of the borough is all that could be desired. 
Improvements in every diredlion are being made, and the upper part from the old Phila- 
delphia to the Glendou road and south almost to the foot of the mountain, is now covered 
with neat and substantial residences, each surrounded with a neat yard, and generally 
owned by their occupants, the majority of whom are skilled mechanics. The estimated 
population is about 7500. 

In 1886 a company was organized to convey spring water from the foot of the moun- 
tain into a reservoir built on Wilkesbarre street. Pipes were laid, and the work was 
completed in 1887, the inhabitants being now supplied with an abundance of good water. 

Toward the close of 1889 eledlric lights were introduced into the town, the dynamo 
being stationed in the building occupied by the National Switch and Target Company. 

The present Borough officers (1889) are : Chief Burgess, Frank M. Arthur ; Borough 
Treasurer, John H. Wilhelm ; Town Clerk, Joseph S. Aldridge ; Solicitor, Henry W. 
Scott ; Surveyor, Peter Brady ; Supervisor, Lafayette Sox. 



PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. 




HILLIPSBURG is one of the largest towns in Warren county, New Jersey, 
and is situated on the banks of the Delaware river, diredlly opposite the 
city of Easton — at the juncture of the New Jersey Central, Belvidere 
Delaware, and Lehigh Valley Railroads, and is the western terminus of 
the New Jersey Central Railroad, the Morris and Essex Railroad, and the 
Morris Canal, from New York, and the eastern terminus of the Lehigh 
Valley Railroad, from Mauch Chunk. The town being on much higher 
ground than the lower part of Easton, it presents a most commanding ap- 
pearance from that place. The present site of the town, according to a 
map made by Vender Donk, a Dutch engineer, in 1654, was at that time 
called Chinktewunk, and was an Indian settlement. It was the custom of 
the Indians to make a clearing of the land immediately surrounding their villages, for 
the purpose of raising corn. The "flats," or "old fields," as Mr. Parsons calls them, in. 
his draft of Easton and vicinity, made in 1755, immediately above the Delaware bridge, 
were used by the natives for this purpose. The fact of there being an Indian village here, 
is also corroborated by the numerous flint arrowheads, hatchets, and corn-pounders, that 
have been found on the fields. The origin of the name Phillipsburg is not well known, 
the general impression being, that it was named after a large landholder of the name of 
Phillips, who resided here at an early day ; but the general opinion is that it was named 
after an old influential Indian chief of that name, who resided here. This supposition 
appears to be the most plausible, as we find the name of Phillipsburg upon a "map of the 
inhabited parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey," published by Evans, in 1749, which 
was before the time when Mr. Pliillips resided here. This Indian chief Phillip, was an 
intimate friend of the great chief Teedyuscung. Phillip, with fourteen other Indians, in 
December, 1755, was arrested by the Jersey people, and brought to Easton (it being the 
nearest place containing a jail), and committed to prison, not for any crime they had com- 
mitted, but because so great was the panic created by the massacre at Gnadenhutten, on 
November 24 of the same year, that all Indians living among the whites were suspedled. 
At the treaty held at Easton, commencing July 4, 1756, the great chief Teedyuscung 
was present as spokesman, and in several of his speeches greatly interested himself in their 
behalf. Having been born in New Jersey, he was well acquainted with these Indians, 
and more particularly with the chief, Phillip. The event occasioned a correspondence 
between Gov. Denny, of Pennsylvania, and Gov. Belcher, of New Jersey, from which the 
following is extracted. Gov. Denny, writing to Gov. Belcher, says: "You will please 
to observe that in the course of the conference, the chief Teedyuscung has warmly solic- 
ited me to use my good offices with you, that the Indians now living in your province 
have liberty, if they please, to go and visit their relatives and friends in the Indian coun- 
try ; the chief thinks when the Indians come to see one another, and learn how friendly 



PHIL T. IPSB UR G, N. J. 



487 




tliose in your province liave been treated, it 
will dispose them to peace. He particularly 
desires this favor for one of your Indians, 
called Philip, who it appears is an old man, and 
had at first been put in prison, but was released, 
and now lives along with the otlier Indians. 

The Executive Council of New Jersey, at 
Elizabethtown, on March 31, 1757, advised his 
Excellency, the Governor, to permit the Indian 
chief, Phillip, to pass to Philadelphia. There 
are numerous other circumstances which would 
go still further to corroborate the supposition 
that the chief Philip was a great favorite as 
well as an influential man amonj^ his people, 
and therefore entitled to this honor. This 
. village was evidently settled by the white 
people before Easton, inasmuch as Easton 
was not laid out until some time after differ- 
ent maps were pnbli.shed giving the name of 
Phillipsburg. About the time Easton was 
laid out, the land upon which Phillipsburg is 
built was owned by the heirs of David Martin, 
ferryman, and a Mr. Cox, a merchant of Phil- 
adelphia, Mr. Cox owning the principal part, 
about 411 acres, among which was the "old 
fields," on which, on account of their beauti- 
ful location and the advantages they appeared 
to have for the purposes of a town over the 
laud on the opposite, or Easton side of the 
river, he contemplated in 1752 to lay out a 
town. This intention of Mr. Co.x's appeared 
to greatly alarm the proprietors of Pennsyl- 
vania, who were much afraid that it would in- 
jure the infant town of Easton. In a letter 
from Thomas Penn, dated May 9, 1752, to 
Richard Peters, he says : "I think we should 
secure all the land we can on the Jersey side 
of the water." The intention evidently being 
to get this land in their possession and thus 
prevent any settlement there. 

]\Ir. Cox finally abandoned his proje6l of 
laying out a town on the Jersey side. Easton 
in the meantime having been made the seat of 
justice for the then new county of Northamp- 
ton, and having a jail in which to confine any 



488 THE HISTORY OF 

lawless characters that might attempt injury to the settlers, soon acquired a position 
which proved prejudicial to the welfare of Phillipsburg. It therefore remained for many 
years a straggling village, in which there was but little improvement made. 

The Morris Canal Co., in 1832, infused some life into the town when it made it the 
terminal point of that waterway, and another step in advance was when the New Jersey 
Central Railroad, in 1852, opened communication with New York, and the Belvidere 
Delaware Railroad was completed to this point in 1854. Its future prosperity was now 
secured, and since then has become an important railroad centre, the New Jersey Central, 
Belvidere Delaware, Lehigh Valley, Morris and Essex, and Easton and Amboy roads 
touching here, and the population increased rapidly, for in i860 we find it was but 1500, 
while in 1870 it had reached 5950 and in 1881 it was 7176. At the present writing (1889) 
it is estimated at 9500. 

In 1847 Phillipsburg contained but fifty dwellings, the present Third Ward at that 
time being a farming region, and at the bend below Main street was located the farm of 
Michael Roseberry, extending as far down as Green's Bridge. The only stores in the 
town at that time were those of Charles Rodenbough and Meixsell & Tindall, both in 
Union Square. In 1845 Garret Cook erected the first brick dwelling, and Dr. John Cooper 
was the town's first physician, who lived near Green's Bridge. 

In 1853 the Phillipsburg Land Company purchased the land adjoining the town, 
known as the "Roseberry Farm," which they divided into lots and sold upon such 
liberal terms as enabled many persons to provide themselves with a home, who could not 
otherwise have done so, and upon the completion of the Belvidere Delaware Railroad, in 
1854, from Trenton to Phillipsburg, the demand for these lots became so great as to induce 
the company to purchase another farm ; and after the completion of the Lehigh Valley 
Railroad, in 1855, they purchased still another, amounting in all to about 300 acres, for 
which they paid the sum of ;g55,030. These lots were sold at prices ranging from $50 to 
$250 each. Among the sales effedled was ten acres to the Warren Foundry Company for 
$4000, thus showing an increase in value in one year of over one hundred per cent, for 
land sold by the acre. 

Phillipsburg was incorporated March 8, 1861, and the first election was held at Fisher's 
hotel. Union Square, on the 8th of April ensuing. Lewis M. Teel was chosen Moderator 
and Judge of Eledlion, William M. Patterson, Town Clerk, John C. Bennet and John Sae- 
ger, Inspe^lors of Elecftion. Three hundred and sixty-three votes were cast and the fol- 
lowing officers chosen : Mayor, Charles Sitgreaves ; Council, William Smith, Charles 
Davidge, G. W. Bearder, William Wyckoff, A. L. Farrand, John Ingham ; Justices of 
the Peace, John S. Bach, Edmund Teel, William A. HufiP, Patrick Walsh ; Assessor, 
Valentine Mutchler; Constable and Colledlor, Albert K. Metz ; Town Clerk, Thomas B. 
Reese. It is divided into four wards. The present officers are : Mayor, J. S. Bowers ; 
President of Council, John Eilenberg ; Clerk, P. F. Brakeley, Jr., Town Attorney, S. C. 
Smith ; Treasurer, George Eilenberg; Street Commissioner, E. H. Bird; Suryeyor, James 
E. Smith ; Tax Collector, Michael Kinney ; Delinquent Collector, J. M. R. Shimer ; 
Overseer of Poor ; J. R. Lovell ; Auditor, E. L. Smith ; President of Board of Education, 
J. M. Reese ; Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of Board of Education, E. C. 
Beers; Treasurer of Board of Education, J. R. Lovell; Chief of Fire Department, Samuel 
A. Metz. 



PHILLIPSBUKG, N. J. 489 

The cause of education has also kept pace with the rapid increase of population, and 
the town can well feel proud of her schools, as they are among the best in the State. Tlie 
first school house in the memory of the oldest inhabitant was a log house that stood in 
1801 below the stone railway bridge over Main street, in the Beidelman neighborhood. 
In that house a Mr. Cohen taught school and was known as "old Cohen," but in 1803 a 
stone house was built on the site of the log cabin. While Phillipsburg was a portion of 
the township it was divided into two school districts, the Ihrie Distridt No. 10 including 
the Second and Fourth Wards, and Phillipsburg Uistri(5l No. 11 the First and Third 
Ward. When the town was incorporated Pliillipsburg Distridl was called No. i and the 
Ihrie Districft No. 2, and they remained thus until February 2, 1869, when the two Dis- 
tricts were consolidated. On March 9, 1869, the Legislature constituted the town one school 
distri(5l and divided it into three se<?tions, but in March, 1870, the sedlions were changed 
into wards, and at the same time provision was made for the election of three School 
Commissioners from each ward. These commissioners were to form a body politic to be 
known as the "Commissioners of the Public Schools of Phillipsburg," and they were 
charged with the full control of the public school interests. The first school house eredled 
in the present limits of the city was the Ihrie school house. In 1843 ^ brick building was 
built, one story high, at a cost of $500. The town felt the want of more room, and on 
May 10, 1869, a lot was purchased of Henry Segreaves for $1800, and a building of brick 
with sandstone trimmings, three stories high, was ere6led thereon, and it measures 62 by 
41 feet, and has two additions, 21 by 42 and 16 by 42 feet. On the first floor are the pri- 
mary schools, on the second the secondary and intermediate schools, and on the third the 
grammar and high schools. The cost of the building was $46,151.84. There are also in 
each of the other wards substantial buildings excellently adapted for school purposes. The 
school census of 1838 gave the number of school children at that time as 78; in 1866 
there were 1120, in 1873 they had increased to 2164, and in 1880 the number was 2268, 
in 1888 the number w?is 2659. The value of school property at the latter date was $72,- 
448.00 and the aggregate appropriation for school purposes was $15,274.56. The schools 
are under the snperintendency of Edwin C. Beers, A. M. 

The religious history of Phillipsburg dates back to 1737, when the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick sent a missionary to preach to the Indians "at the Forks," and in 1740 the 
sainted missionary, David Brainerd, came, and is said to ha\e caused a log church to be 
built in which he frequently preached to the whites and Indians. 

St. James' Lutheran Church (the old straw) and the Greenwich Presbyterian (the old 
stone) are considerably over one hundred years old. These churches were the centres of 
religious influence for the surrounding country, and the pastors of both these denoaiiua- 
tions frequently came to Phillipsburg and preached in the old log house of worship which 
was at that time known as the Union Church. 

In 1750 and up to 1775 Easton became the centre of worship and finally furnished 
church accommodation to all the vicinity (for the old log church had been removed) and 
for seventy-five years the whole neighborhood looked to Easton for the preaching of the 
gospel. 

Presbyterian Church. — In 1847 there was a growing conviction that the Presby- 
terians of Phillipsburg, Easton and South Easton should colonize, looking to the estab- 



490 THE HISTORY OF 

lishment of a church of this clenoiiiination, and on the 25th of April, 1848, fifty-two 
names were secured to a petition and submitted to the Newton Presbytery, which had 
control of the Lehigh Valley churches, and on Odlober 8, 1851, that body appointed a 
committee to visit Phillipsburg for the purpose of exploring the field with a view to estab- 
lish preaching there, and the work began which resulted in the formation of a Presbyter- 
ian congregation in Phillipsburg, in 1853. The erection of the church edifice was not 
commenced until the following year, and was not completed until 1858. Between the 
time of organization and the ere<flion of the church building services were held, the Rev. 
Smith Sturges being the first pastor by Presbyterial authority, who was followed by Dr. 
Cattell as stated supply. Other changes followed until the Rev. H. B. Townsend was 
called, who remained for over twenty years, and under whose spiritual charge the con- 
gregation prospered and became one of the strongest in the Presbytery. The present 
pastor is Rev. E. Morris Ferguson. 

First Methodist Episcop.^l Church. — It is said that the first person to declare 
himself a Methodist in Phillipsburg was Philip Reese, who returned to the town after an 
extended absence about 1824. Mr. Reese said he brought his Methodism with him from 
beyond the Susquehanna. In 1828 Rev. H. Bartine visited Phillipsburg and preached 
in Mr. Reese's stone house, and this was the first Methodist sermon delivered in Phil- 
lipsburg, and the first conversion took place on the stone steps in front of it. In the 
house of a Mr. Downs, a school teacher, the first class was organized, consisting of five, 
who were Mr. Reese and wife, Mr. Downs and wife, and a Mrs. Bell, and was under the 
leadership of Mr. Downs. The denomination, however, made but very little progress 
until 1855, when a congregation was organized, with Rev. R. B. Lockwood as their pas- 
tor. In 1856 a church edifice was erected and a great revival followed, one hundred 
persons being received into classes. The pastors who have followed Rev. Lockwood, are 
Revs. Adams, Moore, Day, Palmer, Parvin, Parsons, Landon, Seran, Searles, Walters, 
Lockwood, Palmer, Dickinson and Brian. Rev. S. N. Bebout has charge of this pros- 
perous flock at present. There are four hundred and sixty members in this flourishing 
congregation. 

St. Luke's Protest.\nt Episcop.\l Church. — Early in 1856, Rev. P. L. Jacques 
preached occasionally to the Episcopalians in the village school of Phillipsburg, and on 
December 22, 1856, St. Luke's was organized. John Swift and Joseph C. Kent were 
chosen Wardens and William St. George Kent, William Newman, James R. Dalton, 
H. C. Cooper and H. R. Wiles, Vestrymen. A handsome stone church was ereCled, and 
in June 9, 1861, was consecrated to Divine worship by Bishop Odenheimer. Rev. Henry 
Mitchell is in charge of its spiritual affairs. 

Sts. Philip and James' Catholic Church. — Previous to i860 the English speaking 
element of Phillipsburg were compelled to worship at St. Bernard's, in Easton, and the 
Germans at South Easton, as no church of that denomination was located here, but in 
the above year Rev. John Smith of Patterson, N. J., was sent here by Right Rev. Bishop 
Bailey, with instrudlions to solicit funds for the erecftion of a church edifice, but he had 
hardly begun his labors when he was taken ill and died, and the bulk of the labor devolved 
upon Rev. C. J. O'Reilly, who was sent here from Newark, N. J., to carry out the plans 
laid by his late predecessor, and in which task he was very successful, for in 1861, the 



PHILLIPS BURG, .V.J. 491 

building was completed. At this time the congregation numbered about five hundred. 
In 1864 the parsonage was built under his direcT:ion, and from that time onward gave his 
entire time to the upbuilding of the church and its varied interests, and in this met with 
such success that in 1875 his congregation numbered over three thousand and was com- 
pelled to eredl a large church edifice and an additional building for parochial school pur- 
poses. Upon the death of Rev. O'Reilly, Rev. R. E. Burke became its pastor. 

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This organization was effe<5led in 1869- 
70 by Rev. M. H. Richards, now professor at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., the then 
membership being derived principally from worshippers at St. John's, of Easton, Pa., and 
St. James' in Greenwich township. Rev. W. O. Cornman succeeded Rev. Richards, and 
he was followed by Revs. R. F. Weidner and J. U. Mattern. Rev. G. D. Bernheim is 
the present pastor. 

Wesley M. E. Church. — A chapel was built by this congregation in 1872, in which 
services were held for several years, during which time the membership increased and the 
financial condition became such as to warrant the construction of a church edifice, which 
was completed in 1887. It is located on Lewis street, with Rev. John R. Wright as pastor. 

St. John's (Ger. Evan.) Lutheran Church, was organized February 5, 1875, 
by Rev. R. F. Weidner, who remained its pastor two years, and was followed by Rev. 
Herman Eggers. During his pastorate Mr. Eggers was killed by falling through a trap- 
door into the cellar of the church. St. John's was formed, chiefly from members of Zion's 
Church in Easton, and the building in which they worship was first occupied in 1876. 
Rev. Bartholomew is the present pastor. 

Westminster Presbyterian Church. — The organization of this, the second 
church of this denomination, was effected on April 27, 1886, by a committee of the New- 
ton Presbytery, consisting of Rev. J. C. Clyde, D. D., Rev. H. B. Townsend, Rev. Wm. 
Thompson, Rev. T. S. Long and Rev. Roderick P. Cobb. The ruling Elders were Mr. 
William D. Hauk and Mr. Thomas S. Stewart. The new congregation numbered forty 
members, and three elders were elected : Jacob Hamlin for five years, James D. Smith for 
four years and Peter W. Stone for three years. Rev. E. Clark Cline was elected to the 
pastorate on Nov. 15, 1886, and was installed January 25, 1887. Rev. U. W. Condit pre- 
sided and propounded the constitutional questions. Rev. William C. Cattell, D. D., 
preached the sermon, Rev. D. N. Hutchinson delivered the charge to the pastor, and 
and Rev. H. B. Townsend delivered the charge to the people. A church building of 
good dimensions is being erected (1889), on Chambers Street, the main audience room of 
which will be about fifty feet squae. The present membership is one hundred and 
eighteen. 

The Phillipsburg Post Office was established in 1852, and previous to that time the 
inhabitants of the town looked to Easton for its mail facilities. Abraham Lomason was 
appointed the first postmaster, who served until 1861, when he was succeeded by L. M. 
Teel, who in turn was succeeded by Charles Sitgreaves, who was appointed in 1866, and 
was succeeded in 1869 by J. R. Lovell. J. I. Blair Reiley succeeded Mr. Lovell, who in 
turn was succeeded by Frank Kneedler, who was appointed under the Cleveland adminis- 
tration, and thus far (1889) remains the incumbent. 



492 THE HISTORY OF 

The Phillipsbnro- Fire Department is well known thronghont western New Jersey 
for its efficiency and ready response whenever called npon to perform its hazardous duty. 
With a department consisting of an engine company, two hose, and a hook and ladder 
company, it is enabled to give satisfactory services under all circumstances. Being ably 
dire<fled by a chief and two assistants, Phillipsburg can well feel proud of their fire- 
men. The officers of the entire department are as follows : Chief, Samuel A. Metz ; 
Assistant Chief, William Hower ; Second Assistant Chief, Joseph Firth. 

The Centennial Engine Company was organized in 1876. President, G. W. Wilhelm ; 
Vice President, Daniel Troxell ; Secretary, A. J. Clifton ; Foreman, A. J. Titus ; Assistant 
Foreman, Edward Gorgas. There are forty men in the company. 

Reliance Hose Company, No. i, was organized in 1887. President, John Folk ; Vice 
President, Edward Pendergast ; Secretary, Frederick McCorckle ; Foreman, John Gipp ; 
Assistant Foreman, Frank Teiff. There are thirty men in the company. 

Jersey Hose Company, No. 2, was organized in 1887. President, Matthew Council ; 
Vice President, G. W. West; Secretary, Arthur Kase ; Foreman, John Norton ; Assistant 
Foreman, Irwin Walters. The number of men in the company is thirty. 

The Alert Hook and Ladder Company, No. i, was organized in 1887. President, 
Dr. J. H. Griffith ; Vice President, John C. Perdoe ; Secretary, Wm. H. Mann ; Foreman, 
Charles Montgomery ; Assistant Foreman, Reading Steiner. There are forty men in this 
company. 

Among the more important manufacturing enterprises of Phillipsburg is the Warren 
Foundry and Machine Company, which was established in 1856. The company was 
chartered March 6, of that year, with a capital of $200,000. The first diredlors were 
James McKeen, President ; John L. Riegel, Russel S. Chidsey, D. J. Miller, Daniel 
Rirnkle, Charles Sitgreaves and John Lander. Samuel C. Brown was chosen secretary 
and treasurer, and N. C. Hudson, superintendent. The workshops are all of stone, and 
were completed in the summer of 1856, and include a foundry 112 x 130, engine house 
30 X 50, black-smith shop 70 x 70, and a machine shop 70 x 400. A railway track is" 
laid through the shop and conne<fted with the New Jersey Central and Lehigh Valley 
railroads. The works cover about ten acres of land. Especial attention is given to 
the manufacture of cast-iron water and gas pipes, branches, bends and retorts. Superior 
facilities are enjoyed for the conduct of the business, and heavy contracts are often 
taken to supply large cities with iron columns and water pipes. The number of hands 
employed usually reaches four hundred and at times will reach five hundred. In 1878, 
the working capital was increased to #250,000. Mr. Daniel Runkle has been president and 
treasurer for twenty-five years, and Wm. R. Wilson has been secretary for the same pe- 
riod, and both seem likely to continue in office for an indefinite time. In 1888, the 
number of hands employed was four hundred and fifty. Forty thousand tons of manu- 
fa6lured material was the average of the last three years. In 1888, $212,000 was paid in 
wages. 

The Andover Iron Company was established in 184S by Peter Cooper, Edward Cooper, 
and A. S. Hewitt, all of New York. They built a blast furnace below Phillipsburg and 
called it the Cooper Iron Works. Ore was received from their mines in Sussex county. 
In 1868 Philadelphia capitalists bought the Phillipsburg interest of the iron company 



PHILLIPSBURG, N. J. 493 

and all their mine interest and organized the Andover Iron Company, with a capital of 
$1,000,000. Pig iron of all grades is produced with special qualities for nails and plates 
and other uses which require the better grade of iron. Mr. Joseph C. Kent is now super- 
intendent (1889) and has been in charge of the works since 1854. 

The Phillipsburg Stove Works began operations as a stock company in 1856, and for 
a number of years was an unprofitable investment to the holders of its stock, but changes 
were brought about eventually which placed it upon a solid business foundation, and for 
a number of years past has been a paying concern. It is well managed and its wares in 
the market are considered a first-class article. The works employ a large force of hands 
and are kept constantly busy. The officers are — ^J. M. Hackett, President and Treasurer ; 
E. L. Smith, Secretary ; E. H. Harmony, Superintendent. 

Another important industry is that of Tippett & Wood, builders of iron bridges, 
turn tables, roofs, water towers, stand pipes, tanks, steam boilers, riveted pipe, blast fur- 
nace, and mill work. This business was established in 1868, with a capital of $40,003. 
The out-put for 1888 was 75,000 tons of manufacliured material. About seventy hands 
are employed in the establishment, and $3500 per month is paid out in wages. Work is 
done for all parts of the country. 

The American Sheet Iron Company was originally started by John O. Wagener, John 
Evans and Aaron Wilhelm, all three of whom were residents of Easton at that time. It 
was organized in 1869 with a capital of $140,000. The original owners however disposed 
of their interests later on and it was eventually organized into a stock company, of which 
Joseph C. Kent is the President ; George Dauby, Secretary and Treasurer ; and William 
Boofman, Superintendent. The manufadlure of sheet iron for various purposes is exten- 
sively engaged in, ninety workmen being employed. The weekly pay roll is $1000. 

The Vulcan Iron Works, located on the flats, north of the town, was started in March, 
1871, by John Protz, F. F. Drinkhouse, and Clemens Weaver, the parties all being Eas- 
tonians. The industry at first was chiefly the manufa(5luring of harness snaps, made of 
malleable iron, of which great quantities were made and sold for a long time, but the 
introducftion of cheaper grades made of less costly material compelled them to abandon, 
in a great measure, this branch of the business. In the course of time F. F. Drinkhouse 
became the sole proprietor, and since then has made a specialty of manufacturing agri- 
cultural machinery, while attention is also given to the building of machinery of various 
kinds. He employs a competent force of workmen, and superintends the various depart- 
ments of his establishment personally. 

The Delaware Rolling Mill originally grew out of a small concern owned by John 
Semple, of Easton, who at one time was located along the Bushkill, where Wagner's 
large dam now is. It was known as "the forge," the iron being forged into bars at that 
time with a trip-hammer instead of being rolled. The mill or forge was removed from 
the Bushkill site to Bank street, rear of the United States Hotel, considerably enlarged, 
and where the business was condudled for several years. The next enlargement was the 
building of the Delaware Rolling Mill in Phillipsburg, when the old trip-hammer system 
was abandoned and rolls were used instead. Bar iron of all dimensions is manufactured 
here. F. P. Howe is the present owner, but it is generally understood that the plant has 
been sold to a Philadelphia party, who will take possession shortly. 



494 THE HISTORY OF 

The important industiy of Phillipsbiirg is the Standard Silk Mill, which was erecfted 
in 1886, the plant costing $50,000, bonds having been issued and subscribed for by the 
citizens. Four hundred and fifty hands are employed, nine-tenths of whom are girls. 
The town was particularly unfortunate in not having an industry prior to this date where 
emplovment could be given to girls and growing boys, for Phillipsburg is naturally the 
home of the mechanic and laboring man, and not the home of the wealthy as a rule, and 
the children of these people needed employment in order to sustain themselves and fre- 
quently assist their parents, so in this respecft we class it as perhaps the most important. 
When the mill is running at its full capacity $150,000 will be paid out annually to its em- 
ployees. The building has four floors and each has its officers to keep order, superintend 
the work in hand, and aid the inmates to escape from the building in case of fire. Alarm 
signals are arranged and well understood by all. S. H. Larned is vice president of the 
company and superintendent of the mill, and to him is due the excellent discipline that 
is noticeable in every department. Not only is the throwing of silk carried on here, but 
it is received in bales and carried through the varied processes until it is woven into the 
finished fabric. The building is an immense strudlure of brick and is looked upon as 
one of the most perfe6l of its kind in the country. 

The American Brick and Tile Company was established in 1886. The purpose of 
the company is the manufa<fturing of brick and tiles, and similar wares from pulverized 
slate, under patents granted by the United States Government for that purpose. The 
material used is the refuse or debris from the dumpings of slate quarries. E.x'perience 
proves that bricks made of this material are very far superior to any made of clay, being 
harder, stronger, and absorb a smaller quantity of water, only about one third of the 
former. Their pressing power is almost double that of those made of the best clay, and 
are particularly valuable for paving purposes, both street and side walks, and are also be- 
coming a substitute for fire bricks used in lining kilns. This can be seen by anyone who 
will visit the works, and inspect the fire chambers there in use. For building purposes, 
these bricks are coming into general favor, house fronts presenting a very handsome 
appearance. The capacity of the works is almost 20,000 per day, requiring a force of 
thirty-five men. Judge Henry Green is President of the company and R. D. Wilson, 
Superintendent. 

Previous to the establishment of the Warren Gaslight Company, which was chartered 
March 25, 1875, the Easton Gas Compuny supplied its inhabitants with that illuminant. 
The capital of the company was fixed at $25,000. At the first meeting of* the stockhold- 
ers, Nov. 16, 1877, J. A. Cloud, Daniel Runkle, Joseph C. Kent, S. A. Comstock, B. F. 
Harris, J. H. Hagerty and David Mixsell were chosen diredlors. S. A. Comstock was 
eledled President of the board, and David Mixsell, Secretary and Treasurer ; Samuel Trum- 
bore was eledled the Superintendent. 

The Phillipsburg Water Works were built in 1886, at a cost of $100,000. The names 
of the officers are : Samuel Thomas, President ; J. O. Carpenter, Secretary ; John A. 
Bachman, Treasurer ; G. G. Striker, Superintendent ; J. Marshall Young, Engineer. The 
contradlors were S. B. Mutchler & Bros. The reservoir is 290 feet above the surface of 
the Delaware, which gives, in the lower part of the city, a pressure of one hundred and 
fifteen pounds to the square inch. The distributing mains extend nearly twelve miles. 



PHIL L IPSE UR G, A'. /. 495 

and were niannfadlured at the Warren Foundry. The reservoir is located on Marble Hill, 
and has a capacity of 2,000,000 gallons, the water being pumped from a well or river as 
is desired. The daily consumption amounts to 400,000 gallons, and the water supplv of 
Phillipsburg is arranged for a large expansion of population. In times of high water, 
when it is unfit for consumption, it may be drawn from a large well dug near the river, 
which is filled by water percolating through the sand, thus giving pure water for daily use. 

The Phillipsburg National Bank was organized March 9, 1856, with a capital of 
$200,000, divided into 4000 shares. Its first Dire(?tors were Charles Sitgreaves, President, 
Henry Segraves, William R. Sharp, Lewis Young, James Stewart, and John Green. In 
1861 the institution was chartered as a national bank, with the capital still fi.xed at $200,000. 
Mr. Sitgreaves continued to be president until his death, in 1878, when Samuel Boileau 
was chosen to succeed him. Lewis C. Reese was the Cashier until his demise in Decem- 
ber, 1877, when John A. Bachman succeeded him. Its present officers (1889) are Samuel 
Boileau, President ; John A. Bachman, Cashier ; P. F. Brakeley, Jr., Notary Public ; 
Daniel Runkle, Samuel Thomas, and Joseph C. Kent, Dire<ftors. 

The historian would be able to write quite an interesting chapter upon the newspaper 
enterprises that have been launched upon the good citizens of Phillipsburg from time to 
time within the last forty years, if authentic data could be obtained ; but so contradidlory 
and so confusing was the information received from various sources as to dates of their 
existence and collapse that he was unable to satisfy himself which was correal and which 
was not. He very much fears that this part of the history of the town is lost, at least so 
far as absolute corredlness is concerned. Of all the establishments that have been started 
only one has been able to stay upon the surface, and that is the IVarrcn Democrat, which 
is now in its twenty-fourth year, and is owned by Charles F. Fitch, Esq. It is a Demo- 
cratic weekly, has a large circulation, a good advertising patronage, and is a paying concern. 



Phillipsburg possesses many natural advantages for manufadluring purposes, sur- 
rounded as it is by a rich and fertile country ; railroads running dire(?tly through it, offer 
to manufadlurers every facility for transporting their produdts to the markets of the 
world, and by means of these unsurpassed accommodations can have the raw material 
brought direct from the mines, and unloaded at their doors without transshipment. It 
is also favorably located for further improvement, large plateaus of land extending north 
and south of the town. In mercantile pursuits it does an extensive business, not depend- 
ing merely upon its inhabitants, but being surrounded by a thickly populated farmiiig 
community ot the better class, has advantages that few towns of its size possess. Its peo- 
ple are enterprising and readily adopt everything that benefits the town, or promotes the 
general welfare of the community. Its municipal affliirs are economically managed, schools 
and churches are well sustained, and competency seems to be at the head of all its affairs 
of whatsoever kind. Its streets are in good condition, buildings are in good repair, elec- 
tric lights flash and glisten at every turn, the whir of machinery is heard in every direc- 
tion, and the entire populace seem to be prosperous and happy. Thus the historian 
finds Phillipsburg at the close of 1889. 



DECEMBER. 1889, 



Four years more than was originally intended has been required to complete the "His- 
tory of Easton." To gather references, to collect from every source information in regard to 
those of our citizens who have honored, by their charadler, abilities, and deeds, our good 
old town, and still do honor it ; and to arrange in order so much of the history of this locality 
for the last century and a half as could be found ; has been the grateful yet most laborious 
task of the author. If, as did "Old Mortality," he has removed the moss and deepened the 
inscriptions on the headstones of buried memories, so that they may be the longer pre- 
ser\-ed, he is content. 

To the many friends who have for the last five years given to the Author all assistance 
in their power in the preparation of this history, he returns his most hearty thanks Satisfied 
that he has givefl to the work his utmost mental and physical strength, and years of labor, he 
asks only the credit due to every one who confers a benefit upon his race. He feels that his 
labors will be appreciated, more and more, as time rolls on, and he rejoices in the thought 
that it has fallen to his lot to preserve and perpetuate the history of the many noble men, who 
have been in the past, and now are, citizens of this beautiful city at the meeting of the moun- 
tain waters. 

To the publisher of this history, the thanks of the subscribers and of every frieiul of Eas- 
ton are largely due for the excellence in typography, of the engravings, and the splendid 
style in which the work has been published. No finer specimen of the " Art preservative of 
all arts" has ever been published in Pennsylvania outside of the largest cities; and it should 
be at once the pleasure and the duty of the citizens of Easton to recognize, in every suitable 
way, the enterprise, industry and artistic ability displayed by him in so great an under- 
taking. 



ERRATA. 

On page 39, in the sixteenth line from the top. read " Cowper" instead of " Watts " 
On page 48, in the twentieth line from the top, " Night" should Ije " Knight." 
On page 159, in the thirteenth line from the top, •' Paximora" should be '■ Paxinosa " 
On page 173, in the eighth line from the top, read " United States Senate," in place of the 

" House of Representatives of the United States " 

On page 407, between the last word, "blessing," and the first word " to" on the top of 

page 40S, insert the words " to those who ereAed it, and will continue to be a blessing." 

On page 40'\ in the second line from the top, insert "he" between the two words " which 

opened " 



INDEX TO CONTENTS^ 



Abei, Familv. 

Abel, Jacob 167 

Washington's Anny in Dur- 
ham boats 167 

Adams, John 167 

Getter's Island 167 

Able, Edward 47i 

Arndt Family 92 

Author's Preface 5 

Banks of Easton 378 

Bridges OF Easton 464 

BusHKiLL Valley. 

source of wealth to Easton . 79 
Judge Daniel Wagner's mill 81 
great army- of mills and dis- 
tilleries ... ... 84 

the fall in the Bushkill creek 85 
the fall in the Lehigh river . 85 
the fall in the Delaware . . 85 
original name of Lehigh . . 85 

Cemeteries. 

Easton Cemetery 443 

incorporated 444 

beautiful scenery 444 

Churches of Easton. 

when and where built ... 17 
Third St. Ger. Ref Church . 59 
Indian Treaty convened . . 60 
Paine, Thomas, to act as Sec. 60 
remodeled and enlarged i8j2 61 
again remodeled in 1SS6 . . 62 
St. Mark's Church . ... 64 
when and where built .64 

Grace Reformed Church 6; 

when and where built ... 64 
Muhlenberg, H Melchoir . 95 
St. John's Lutheran Church . gq 

early history 99 

Sadtler's, Dr. ministry . . 100 
Schmucker's, Dr. ministry . ino 

Christ Church loi 

when built. . . . . 102 

Anspach, Rev. J. M . . . . 102 

St. Paul's Church 103 

when built .... . . 103 

Barclay's, Dr. ministry . . 103 
McKnight's, Rev. H W. min- 
istry . . 105 
Hufford's, Rev. R., ministry 105 
Zion Church . . 105 
Pfatteicher, Rev. Philip . . 105 
house of worship purchased 106 
St. Peter's Church .... 106 

when built 108 

St. Luke s Church . . . . to8 

when built 109 

Redemptioners 109 

Presbyterian churches . . 422 
Easton Religious Society . 423 
Presbyterianism. beginning 423 



Boyer. Stephen 423 

Bishop. Rev .... 424 

Gray, Rev. Dr. John .... 424 

Miller, Frank E 425 

Brainerd Church 429 

when built and where . . 429 
first pastor of the church . 429 
Second Presbyterian Church 431 
early history of the ohurch 431 
Edgar's, Rev. Dr. C.H , min- 
istry 432 

Methodi.sm in Easton . 432 
early history of the church . 432 

Reese, Philip 433 

"The Saw Mill" 433 

church bunied 433 

rebuilt 433 

Chapel built on Ferry street 434 
Bethel Mission (English) . 434 
Trinity Church 1 German) . 434 
Jewish Synagogue . . 455 

first church building erected 435 

enlarged 435 

St Bernard's CatholicChurch436 
number of members . . . . 436 

church burned 436 

rebuilt 436 

Baptist Church 43^ 

building a church on Ferry- st 437 
sold to the colored people . 437 
church erected on Walnut st 437 
Marshall, Rev. W. H. . . 437 

Moravian Church 437 

place of meeting 437 

Episcopal Church 152 

founder of the church . . . 152 
services in the house of . 152 
Sitgreaves, Hon. Samuel .152 

" White Church" 152 

built after plan brought from 

Europe by Mr Sitgreaves 152 
the site given by Mr. Sit- 
greaves ... .... 152 

Rodney, Rev. John .... 153 

Commercial Facilities 

early baker .... . 445 

Durham boats 445 

Morris canal 445 

N.J. Central Railroad . .445 

Bel Del. Railroad 446 

Lehigh & Susquehanna R. R 446 
Lehigh Valley R. R. . . . 446 

Court, Bench .\nd Bar. 

earl 3' justices 41° 

bar, early members of the . 411 

Traill, Robert 413 

Cooper, John 413 

Brooks, Robert May .413 

Reeder, Hon. A. H. . 413 

Brodhead, Hon. Richard . 416 
Brown, .-Mexander E. . . .416 
Porter, Hon Jas. M , LL- D 417 
McCartney, Washington . 41S 



Maxwell, Henry D 419 

Rogers, Thomas J 419- 

Johnson, Philip 419 

Mutchler, William . . . . 420 
bar, list of members of the . 421 

Common School System. 

school directors, first board . 380 
school funds, how raised . . 380 
teaching, manner of . . 381 

schools, when opened . . 3S1 
opposition to the system . . 381 
school accommodations . .381 

school rooms 382 

teachers employed, number 382 
schools, government of . . 383 
McCartney, Washington . . 383 
academy, the old . . . 384 
Female Seminary . . . 384 

superintendent 385 

Cottingham, William W. . . 386' 
Stewart, E F., address by . 387 
high school -388 

school system, beginning of 

the present 389 

schools, gradation of 389 

high school 390 

high school, commencement 391 
high school, synopsis of the 391 



subordinate schools . . . 


392 


Sixth Ward Academy . • 


393 


First Ward building . . 


394 


Third Ward building 


39S 


Seventh Ward buildings . 


39S 


school supervision . . . 


.396 


Franklin buildiug .... 


398 


Teachers' Institute . . . 


399 


Cottingham. W. W., biogra 




phv of . . . 


400 


initial correspondence . . 


401 


Cottingham celebration 


401 


procession, the . ... 


402 


addresses 


403 


Wolf, Gov. . ... 


404 


Wolf Memorial, the . . . 


408 


Court Houses 


65 


Dedication 


3 


Doctors of Easton. 




Northampton Med. Soc . 


438 


Swift, Dr. J. K 


439 


Kennedy, Dr. Stewart . 


439 


Gwinuer, Dr. Samuel . . 


439 


Detwiller, Dr. H 


439 


Field. Dr. C. C 


.440 


Lachenour, Dr. D . 


441 


Seip, Dr. Amos 


.441 


Detwiller, Dr. J. J . . . . 


■ 442 


Sandt, Dr. Samuel . . . 


442 


Durham Bo.\ts 


• 36 


Abel, Jacob 


36 


.American Crisis, Paine's . 


• 38 



Easton. Penn.\. 

geological description 



498 

first house at the Point . • 13 

suney of the town .... 13 

I'enu's letter H 

old names of streets . ... 14 

Northampton County ■ • '5 

court, first session 15 

first hotel 15 

first families '5 

employments 15"'^' 

school funds >6 

building of a school house . 16 

church '6 

subscribers 16 

Easton of To-d.^y. 

manufactures, a new interest 

in 468 

Industrial Association . . . 468 
Boot and Slioe Company . . 46S 
Malteawan Felling Manufac- 
tory 469 

Easton and Northern R. R . 469 
company, members of the . 4''9 

Sage, Henry A 469 

honie for the friendless . . .469 

old buildings 470 

Able Opera House . . . ■ • 471 
business men of to-day, a list 
ofthe 473 

Easton Post Office. 

first to sixteenth postmaster 179 
general international money 

order office 183 

free delivery system .... 1S3 

letterboxes 183 

otBce, finance of the . . . 183 

. Fire Department. 

Humane Fire Co. No. i . ■ 344 
Weygandt, Jacob,Treasnrer . 344 
officersof the Co. of 1870 . . 34s 
Finley. George, his biography 346 
members ofthe company . .346 
Phoenix Fire Co., No. 2 . . 347 

a long race 347 

officers' names 349 

Washington Fire Co.. No. 3 . 349 

officers 349 

delegation from Phila . . . 349 
officers, when disbanded . 350 
Sonthwark Hook aud Ladder 

Company No. i 35° 

Keystone Fire Co., No 5 . . 351 

" ail gone to war." -351 

first officers 35' 

Lafavette Fire Co., No. 6 . .352 
Liberty Fire Co., No. 7 ■ ■ • 353 
paid fire department . . 354 

Hav's truck 355 

J j' Smith, Chief Engineer . 355 
members' names . . 35^^ 

horse waiting for the alarm . 357 
the alarm sounded, springs 

to his place 357 

horses carefully trained . . 35S 

great parade 359 

the se\ eral divisions .... 360 

decorations 3'^2 

firemen's arch 3''3 

welcome to the new truck . 365 



Index to Contents. 

Floods. 

damage along the Lehigh . 458 
Law's bridge swept away . 458 
the Lehigh a roaring torrent458 
consternation on Thursday . 458 
suffering of the boatmen . .458 
buildings carried away . . .458 
Lehigh Valley a desolation . 45S 

Gordon, Louis 3' 

Green Family. 

Green, William 156 

Richard, John, Enoch, Ben- 
iamin. Trail, Henry . . .157 

Hay Family 153 

Hotels of Easton. 

first and second hotels ... 158 
frolics and dancing .... 159 
Washington Hotel . . . .160 

Bull's Head 162 

Golden Lamb ...... 163 

" Bnlly Whack" . . • ■ 163 

Arlington 164 

White's Hotel 165 

Green Tree 166 

"Daddy" Hempt ... .166 
best man 167 

Indian Treaties. 

walking purchase 45 

dissatisfaction of the Indians 45 

names of the walkers ... 45 

expert walkers obtained 45 

Wrightstown meeting house 45 

start at sunrise 4° 

the precursor of war . 46 
New Castle, the brave mes- 
senger. • 48 
on a mission of peac:^ ... 48 
Teedyuscung brought to Eas- 
ton ... . . 48 
treaties begin at the Point . 48 
at Vernon's Tavern . . -49 
Teedyuscung in French gar- 
ments . 49 

second treaty 49 

Paxinosa's address 51 

third treaty 5' 

ruffled shirts for Indians . 52 

another treaty 53 

Introductory Chapter. 

Mount Jefferson ... 7 

Mount Lafayette 7 

Mount Olympus 7 

Lehigh Hills 7 

k \ers 7 

Monntains.Vallies and Rivers 8 
first house in Easton ... S 
where Parsons had intended 

the town to be built ... 9 
Michael Schlatter : his birth 

place ; errand to .\merica ; 

visit to Europe ; raises mo- 

nej- forchurch and schools; 

his presentation of a Bible ; 

his death and burial in 

Philadelphia 9 

Jails of Easton 27 



KiCHLiNE Family 76 

Lafayette College. 

when founded and where . . 302 

Jones, Joel 302 

McKeen, Thomas 302 

a name given 303 

trustees, list of 303 

Junkin. Rev. George . 303 

Manual Labor Academy . 303 
Junkin brings his school to 

Easton . . • 305 

where the College fiist met 305 
first Commencement . . .' 306 
manual labor, amount of . 306 

curriculum . . 306 

new location purchased . . 307 
new buildings erected 308 

building finished . . . ■. 308 

President resigns 409 

Yeomans, Dr 309 

Nassau, Dr 309 

McLean, Dr 309 

McPhail. Rev. George W. 310 
Cattell, Rev. Wm.C. . . 312 
his first acquaintance with 

Pardee 312 

Coffin, James H., LL. D. . .313 
March, Prof. Francis A. 314 

Coleman, Rev. Lvman . . 315 
Green, Dr. Traill! . . 318 

Coffin. Selden J. . .325 

Cattell's, Dr., biography . .32S 
Professor at Lafayette . . 32S 
pastor in Harrisburg - . . .328 
President of Lafayette . . 329 
first gift from Pardee . . . 329 
in Europe ... . . 329 

receives D. D. and LL. D. . 330 
Dr. Cattell and " his boys" 331 
last baccalaureate . . J31 

prosperity 331 

Dr. Cattell resigns 332 

I ir. Knox 334 

Dr. Ballard, Prof. Fox, . . 335 
Dr. Porter, Prof Youngman, ■ \ 

Prof Owen, Prof. Moore, 330 
Dr Mclnlire, Prof Hardy, 
Prof Hart, Prof Hall, Prof 
Silliman, Prof. Bloomberg, 
Prof March, Jr., Samuel 
L. Fisler .... 337 

members of the Faculty who 

were not alumni . . . 339 
names of the members ofthe 
Faculty who were alumni 339 

.'\rio Pardee 34° 

Blair, John 1 34° 

Washington and Franklin 

Literary Societies 341 
Brainerd Missionary Society 342 
Alumni Association . . 342 
Christian Brotherhood . . 342 
National History Society . 343 
Chemical Socie'ty . . . -343 
Society of Physics and Engi- 
neering 343 

Lehn Family 77 

Municipal Government 

Borough of Easton . . 3^6 



Index to Contents. 



499 



first ofiicers 366 

Wards 367 

City charter 36S 

Common Council 368 

Mayor Chidsey, first Mayor 369 
Nevin, D. \V., first president 

of Select Council . . . .371 

members' names 372 

Easton's first officers under 

the city charter 373 

redivision into wards . . 374 
police fierce 375 

MixsELL, Philip. 

where and when bom . . 190 

in Wagner's mill 191 

ladies' dresses 192 

Pomp's corner 192 

election day . 192 

applebutter frolics 192 

mason work of the Third 

street church 192 

game of cards 193 

Delaware bridge 193 

Military History. 

Parson's armj' 196 

alarms of 1755-1756 .... 196 

Weiger, Conrad 196 

Poutiac war 196 

a company raised, the oldest 
in the history of Easton . 197 

Muster Roll 197 

Saylor's Lake 198 

a remarkable courtship ... 198 

Gilmore, Thomas 198 

Rachel Young 199 

Gilmore in love, and cut his 

foot 159 

Paddy's excelsior 200 

a wedding 200 

Dr Appel 200 

whiskey rebellion 200 

Diehl, Jacob 201 

war of 1812 201 

Capitol burned 201 

Court House bell rung . . . 202 
military company- formed . 202 
seven men by one name . . 202 

nmster roll 202 

remarkable speech, a . ... 202 

Butz, Michael 20J 

Titus, Lawrence .... 203 

go to Philadelphia to wel- 
come Lafayette .... 204 
muster roll of the company . 205 
Easton artillerists .... 206 
muster roll ... . . 206 

Camp Delaware on the south 

side of the Lehigh . . 207 

Gen. Cadwallader .... 209 

fire works 209 

large gathering 209 

military and boatmen's riot 210 
navigation obstructed . .210 
sad parade in Easton . . .210 
line of boats two miles long .211 
Packer, Asa, knocked into the 

river 211 

Packer, Mr., was rescued by 



Joseph Savitz 211 

companies march to the scene 

with loaded pieces . . . .211 
character of the Easton com- 
panies 212 

Reeder, Capt 212 

Vohe, Capt 212 

Ihrie Gen. Peter. . . 212 

Taylor nionumentdedicatiou2 13 
military display .... 213 
Easton National Guards . . 214 

muster roll 214 

sham battle in Trenton . . .215 
Citizens' Artillery ... 215 

muster roll 215 

burial of John F. Bachman .215 
Pomp's Cornet Baud . . . 215 

famous celebration 216 

Easton Jaegers 217 

muster roll 217 

Glanz, Capt. Charles .... 217 
funerals of soldiers of 1812 218 
reminder of militia days . . 218 
Jan. and Feb. parades, 1S61.219 
Washington's birthday . . .219 
Rebellion approaching . . .219 
great union demonstration . 219 

resolutions 219 

sham battle 220 

skirmish on Northampton st. 220 

war inevitable 221 

patriotic fires burning . . .221 
first gun on Sumter . . . 221 

Navig.\tion of the Delaware. 
Major William Bamet . . . 461 

The Reindeer 461 

Alfred Thomas 461 

on the morning of March 6 461 
list of those on board . . 462 

explosion 462 

list of killed and wounded. .463 

Yoiiells, B. M 463 

a relief meeting called 463 

dream of navigation passed 
away 463 

Newspapers and Printing. 
first newspaper by J. Wey- 
gandt 456 

Parsons, William '9-24 

Parsons, Miss Grace, off for 
Philadelphia 24 

Pickering, Timothy. 

birth of 169 

in the revolution 169 

in Wyoming 169 

in chains 171 

in theCabinetof Washingt'n 171 
in the Cabinet of Adams . . 171 
in the \J. S Senate . . . .172 
death 173 

Pomp. Rev. Nicholas .... 186 

Pomp. Rev. Thomas ... .186 

Publisher's Note 4 

Revolution. Easton during the 
Committee of Safety . . . .123 
Whigs and Tories 123 



committee, members of the 124 
preparing for war, activity in 125 

company raised 127 

batde of Brooklyn 126 

loss of the company in battle 127 
coinmitlee, duties of the . . 128 
committee, formation of. . 131 
members, nationality of the 134 

Rebellion, War of the 

War of the Rebellion . . . 222 
meeting in the Court House 222 
great war meeting on Sum- 
ter's bombardment . . . . 222 

resolutions ....... 222-223 

committee to secure names 

of volunteers 223 

surrender of Fort Sumter,tre- 

mendous e.Kciteuient . . . 223 
Old Court House packed . . 223 
adjourned meeting .... 224 
committee sent toHarrisburg 224 

growing patriotism 224 

departure of three months' 

men 224 

Armstrong, William H. . . 225 

Bell, Ferdinand W 225 

FirstRegiment of Penna. Vol.226 
muster rolls of Company B, 

C, D, H, G 227-228 

arrival of the Rhode Island 

Marine Artillery 229 

flag raising by the public 

schools . . . 229 

Green, Dr. Traill 229 

volunteering in May, 1S61 . 229 
war alarm in New Jersey . . 229 
Sitgreaves, Maj. Charles, of 

Phillipsburg .... . . 230 

Easton Volunteers in the Pa. 

Reserves 230 

Horn, John J 2-0 

Baldy, Peter 230 

company mustered into ser 

vice, 1S61 231 

Company E , Twelfth Penna. 

Reserves 231 

muster roll 231 

flag raisings 232 

flag on the Syuagogue. . . 232 
flag on a pole a hundred feet 

high at Reich's grocery . .232 
address by O. H. Meyers, Esq.232 
fair ground chosen as a state 

camp 232 

aid to volunteers in the field 232 
patriotic president of a Vir- 
ginia College 253 

passage of troops 233 

flag presentation 233 

Fourth of July, 1S61 .... 7.^;} 
march of the Reserves down 

Northampton street . . .231 
campaign of three months 

men 234 

"JLarch through Baltimore" 235 
reception of the three months 

volunteers 237 

speech by E- J. Fox, Esq . 237 

riotous outbreak 237 

illtimed remarks ... . 237 



500 



Index to Contents. 



recruiting in Easton .... 23S 

Se\-mour s Battery 23S 

muster roll 239 

ovation to Chas. A.Heckman 240 
address by Hon.A.H.Reeder 240 
Heckman, where born . . . 240 
Heckman in comniaud . . 240 
Lieuts. Reeder and WyckofF 

wounded 241 

funeral of Col James Miller 24 1 
H. Bo)'d Mckeeu promoted 

to Colonel . . . 241 
Wm. M. McKeeu wounded 241 
Edward J. Fox most active 241 
Howard, Gen. CO. . . .241 
Public Schools ... . 242 
Seymour's battery; an inter- 
esting letter . 242 

draft riots in New York . . 243 
Simons , Sergeant James . 243 
Gen. Armistead's thanks . 243 
who fell in battle . . . 244 
"We are coming father .Ab- 
raham three hundred thou- 
sand more " ..... 244 
resolutions . . ... 244 

committee to raise volunteers246 
action of Northampton Co 

to avoid the draft . . . 246 
departure of volunteers for 

the 129th Regt 247 

muster roll of Easton com- 
panies D, F, K. 247-248 
draft ordered in county. . . 249 
call for volunteers for state 

defence 249 

mu>ter roll of Easton com- 
panies, A, F. 1 250 

South E iston company B 251 
1 74th Regiment drafted nine 

months militia 252 

muster roll of Co. E, 153d 

Regt. P. V 253 

departure of drafted men . . 253 
Easton Loyal Union League 254 
presentation of a horse . .254 
vigorous prosecution of the 

war necessary . ... 254 
reception of the 1 29th Regt. 255 
sketch of service .... 255 
at Fredericksburg . . 255 

casualties at Fredericksburg 

amo.ig Easton men . . . 256 
dress coat episode . . . 257 
Chancellorsville campaign . 257 

homeward bound 259 

arrival of the volunteers . . 259 

public reception 260 

public addresses 260-261 

Reeder, Mrs. Andrew H. . . 263 
Ladies' Aid Societies . - 26 ; 
Citizens' .\id Societies . . 263 
Hetrich, Mrs Josiah P. . . 263 
Rebellion invasions .... 263 

a new companv 264 

Companies C D, E, F, G, H, 

K. 38th Militia . 264-265-266 
Co D, 37th Regt Pa Militia 26S 
reception of the 153d Regt. 269 

Chancellorsville 260 

Gettysburg 270 



letter of Col. Glanz .... 270 
muster roll of Co. E. 153rd 

Regt., P. V 271 

at the Fair Ground . . . 273 
address of Philip Johnson . 274 
sword presentation to Colo- 
nel Glanz 276 

draft in Easton 276 

dinner to the Invalid Corps 277 
return of the 51st to recruit 277 
muster rolls Cos. B and K.. 279 
Bell, Capt , death of . . .280 
casualties among the Easton 

"Volunteers 281 

i8oth Regt. Pa. Vols. ... 282 
Reeder, Capt. Frank . . . 2S3 
muster roll of the regimental 

baud of the 47th Regt . . 284 
muster roll of Cos A, E 2S5-2S6 
casualties among the Easton 

Volunteers 287 

muster roll of Co. H, 214th 

P. V 2S7 

113th Pa Vol. Pa Cavalrv . 288 
loSth Regt. Pa. Vols, nth 

Pa. Cavalryilliam 289 

Seip, Capt. W ...... 2S9 

59th Regt. P.V 2d Pa. Cav. 289 

muster roll Co H 289 

Easton colored volunteers . 290 
Ludlow, Jacob R., M. D . .291 
Rodenbough, Gen. T. F. . . 291 
Kilpatrick's bugler . . . 292 
Easton in the regular army . 293 

Easton in the navy 293 

Easton Grays 294 

muster roll of the Easton 

Grays 296 

Havden, Geo. \V., as drum- 
boy . . .296 

SiTGREAVES, Hon. Samuel. 

parents and birth . , 145 

education 145 

admitted to the bar .... 145 
removed to Easton . . . .146 
member of the convention . 146 
members of Congress . . . 147 
Jay's Treaty . . ... 147 

member of the commission 

in Philadelphia . 148 

special commissioner to Gt. 

Britain .148 

Blount's impeachment . . . 149 
trial of John Fries ..... 150 
his interest in public affairs 152 
founder of Episcop'l Church 152 

Stages. 

Philadelphia 175 

Allentown, Wind Gap . . . 176 

Bethlehem 176 

changed 178 

Street Ili,umin.\tion. 

Easton Gas Company . . 44S 

electric light 449 

Rinek, Howard 45° 

Stout, John V 450 

salaries of the Easton officers 451 
Pennsylvania Electric Light 
Company . . 451 



Edison Electric Illuminat- 
ing Company 452 

electric plant, where located 452 

Sullivan's E-xpedition. 

organized at Easton . . . .135 
artillery and soldiers from 
the national army . . . . i.)5 

Clinton, Gov 135 

Easton his headquarters . 137 
'■Lover's Lane" cut by Sulli- 
van's men .... . 13S 
Clinton and Sullivan join at 

Tioga 139 

the battle and victory . . .139 

Tatamy, the Delaware Chief. 
converted under Brainerd . 56 
ever after faithful to the 
whites .... ... 56 

Taylor, Hon. George. 

paying his passage across the 
Atlantic at Durham I'ur- 

nace 1 1 1 

clerk in the furnace . . .112 
member of the Assembly .112 
Taylor in Congress . . . ii 5 
Chief Justice M'Kean's let- 
ter . 116 

signed the Declaration of 

Independence. Aug. 2d .115 
proprietor of the Durham 

Furnace 115 

his association with Jeffer 
son. Franklin, Hancock 

and Adams . . 119 

descendants of Geo. Taylor T20 

The Fate of a Flirt. 

nmrdered by somebody ... 87 

Traill Robert 71 

Vanderveer, Dr. John. 

his character as a teacher . 300 
his charafter as a Christian . 303 

his retirement 300 

his death .300 

Wagener Family. 

nationality '93 

David, where from 193 

Hon. David D 194 

Union Guards 194 

Lafayette, reception of . . .194 
David D., in Congress . .194 

Gen. Jackson 194 

David D., Prest. of Easton 
Bank '95 

Water Supply. 

company incorporated . . 466 
reservoir on Chestnut Hill . 460 
West Ward Water Company 467 
Act of Assembly, March 6 . 467 
Lehigh Water Company . . 467 
water from the Delaware . . 467 
amount of water supplied . .467 
present officers of company . 467 



South Easton 
Phillipsburg 



4S0-48S 
486-493 



INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Across the Delaware ^old view) 140 

Badge — 129th Regiment . 261 

— 153d Regiment 269 

Bushkill Bridge— Fourth Street (old) 6 

Bridge— Third Street (old) 35 

View at mouth of 463 

View at Butz's Mill 80 

View at Wagner's Dam 83 

View at Williams' Dam 235 

Camp Delaware 208 

Cemeter\- Arch 444 

Centre Square, 1855 37S 

Centre Square (bird's eye view) 121 

Centre Square, 1S30 12 

Centre Square, Market Day 4^1 

Circle and Fountain 387 

Churches — Third Street Reformed 58 

— St. Paul's Lutheran 10 ). 

— St. Peter's Lutheran 107 

Court House — old 66 

— new 69 

County House — old .... 74 

Continental Soldier 136 

Durham Boat • • 37 

Delaware — Down the 230 

— 1^'pthe _. .245 

Easton — Bird's Eye View Frontispiece 

— Bird's Eye View from College Hill . . . 430 

— View in 1876 42b 

Easton National Bank 377 

Explosion of •' .\Ifred Thomas" 462 

Fire Department 344 

Humane Fire Co Officers 345 

Phcenix Engine House 3 17 

Carriage 3+9 

Truck and Engine 350-351 

Central Fire Station 355 

Smith, John J., portrait 356 

.\larm, Waiting for, Sounded, &c 357-355-359 

.\rch of Welcome 362 

First Church and School House 17 

Front and Bushkill Streets, 1S40 . . 191 

Hay Residence 155 



Hotels— Old "Bull's Head" 

— United States 

—White's 

Indian Scout 

Jails — First Jail ... 

—Third Jail 

Lafayette College — Old and New 308 & 

Approach to 

Campus 

JenksHall 

Observatory 

Pardee Hall 

Reading Room 

Lehigh Dam and River (old) 

Lehigh River — near Dam 

— View up (new bridge, 1S89) . . . . 

Lehigh Bridge — Chain, iSii 

—of 1S62 

Lehigh Valley R. R. Depot ■ . . . 

Lehigh and Susquehanna R. R, Depot 

Martin's Ferry House 

Mount Ida . '. 

Mount Jefferson . . . . 

Post Office 

Parson's House . 

Pot Rock and Eddy • . . . 

Phillipsburg — Bird's Eye View 

Streets— Northampton, West (old) 

—Northampton, West, (i886) .... 

— Northampton, East, ' 18S9) 

—Third Street, South, ( 1889) 

-Third Street, North, (1887) 

Stage Coach 

Sitgreaves Mansion ■ 

Schools — Second Ward Buildings 

— Franklin Building 

— Taylor Building 

— Memorial Gateway 

South Easton — Bird s Eye View 

Taylor Monument 

"■The Point" — about 1830 

— about 1830 

—in 1886 



162 
164 
16:; 
138 

23 

30 
320 
301 
321 
324 
323 
317 
322 

40 
210 
460 

18 
459 
446 
447 

14 
174 
221 
181 

23 
no 
487 
129 
432 
454 
44-) 
275 
177 
146 
394 
398 
395 
408 
481 
n8 

43 
465 

52 



INDEX TO PORTRAITS. 



Able, Edward , 471 

-Armstrong, William H 2^5 

Ballard, Addison 338 

Bell, Ferdinand W 225 

Butz, Michael 202 

Cattell, William C 328 

Chidsey, Charles F 369 

Coffin, James H 310 

Coffin, Selden J 325 

Coleman, Lyman 315 

Condit, Uzai W i 

Cottingham, William W 400 

Dachrodt, Jacob 252 

Detwiller, Henry 439 

Detwiller, John 442 

Finley , George 345 

Glanz', Charles 252 

Green, Traill ... 318 

Goldsmith, .Aaron 373 

Hayden, George W 297 

Heck, George 371 

Heckman, Charles A 240 

Hetrich, Mrs. Josiah P 263 



Knox, James Mason 335 

Ludlow, Jacob R 291 

March, Francis A 311 

McCartney, Washington 418 

Muhlenberg, Henry M 96 

Mutchler, William 420 

Nevin, David W 370 

Ohl, Ephraim N. R 293 

Pardee, Ario 340 

Police Force 375 

Reeder, Andrew H 414 

Reeder, Mrs Andrew H 262 

Reeder, Frank 283 

Rodenbough, Theophilus F 292 

Sage, Henry A 469 

Seip, -Albert N 289 

Schlatter, Michael , 8 

Taylor, George 112 

Titus, Lawrence :o2 

Vanderveer, John 299 

Wagner, David 194 

West, George W 5 

Wolf. George 405 



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